Trump is refusing to comply with the court order to release USAID funds. The question is: what happens when the court issues a contempt order with teeth? - ThreadSky

brynntannehill.bsky.social • 4 days ago

Trump is refusing to comply with the court order to release USAID funds. The question is: what happens when the court issues a contempt order with teeth?

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cursed.monster•4 days ago

That’s when we enter the Cool Zone

brynntannehill.bsky.social•4 days ago

This is the second time the Trump administration has refused to comply in this case. The flat refusal in today's filing leads me to believe an initial contempt finding will happen soon, but it will be of the toothless variety. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/us/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html

jamic07.bsky.social•4 days ago

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jstopwps.bsky.social•4 days ago

He idolizes President Jackson. His hero defied the Supreme Court by the removing Native Americans.

mpoessel.de•4 days ago

So what would make for teeth in this context? I am hoping that "any teeth will rely on the executive to enforce, which Trump can prevent" is not correct?

brynntannehill.bsky.social•4 days ago

Usually there's an initial contempt of court finding that isn't criminal. Then there's a criminal contempt. When we hit criminal contempt, and the US Marshals refuse to enforce it by bringing the persons named in the contempt order in, then we know that checks and balances are officially dead.

obscurem.bsky.social•4 days ago

@brynntannehill.bsky.social luckily there's a 3rd stage. The courts can appoint an officer to enforce contempt if DOJ refuses. https://bsky.app/profile/david.noll.org/post/3lidnxemmus2h

brynntannehill.bsky.social•4 days ago

And whom would the court appoint that isn't beholden to Trump within the federal government? This is a question that resembles the mice proposing to put the bell on the cat.

obscurem.bsky.social•4 days ago

The DC police may be another option

obscurem.bsky.social•4 days ago

The Capitol Police likely. Possibly State AGs or National Guard. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_Police

180423ashy.bsky.social•4 days ago

here’s the answer: nothing

consciouscustodian.bsky.social•4 days ago

"Or do you think it possible for a country not to be destroyed if the verdicts of its courts have no force but are nullified and set at naught by private individuals?"

-Socrates (via Plato's Crito)

picalily.bsky.social•4 days ago

The courts have no teeth without the DOJ to enforce.

thosrhodes.bsky.social•4 days ago

lol, party of law and order.

thenootnooteffect.bsky.social•3 days ago

He probably can't. Elmo broke something he doesn't understand and in all likelihood couldn't fix it even if he wanted to

pokeyincp.bsky.social•4 days ago

Nothing will happen. He has immunity. He can break all the laws he wants. And he will.

This is why we need to be vigilant and prepared.

dontpushthat.bsky.social•4 days ago

He'll ignore that too, and SCOTUS will eventually rule " no, really, we meant laws specifically do not apply to Donald Trump or any future republican president"

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