Staff Reports
A federal judge with ties to the Obama administration is putting the brakes on Trump’s Cabinet, illustrating just how deep the swamp really runs. In a head-scratching ruling from a New York courtroom, Judge Paul Engelmayer has not only blocked Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the Treasury’s payment system but has also created a nightmare scenario for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, potentially locking him out of his own department’s critical data. This bizarre act is certainly a gift to the anti-Trump crowd, who revel in the prospect of seeing a Republican administration handcuffed by judicial overreach.
The Justice Department wasted no time in labeling the ruling as a “remarkable intrusion” into the executive branch, arguing that accountability in government is paramount. According to their filings, having a distant district court judge dictate the operations of the executive branch is not just a step too far; it’s a giant leap for judicial overreach. The very essence of our democratic system rests on the idea that elected officials are accountable to the voters, not to unelected judges serving agendas from past administrations.
Dear Southern district of New York, your corrupted courts are screwed!🤣
💥Trump Administration Files Emergency Motion to Vacate Treasury's Restraining Order — Asserts 'No Court Can Sever Presidential Supervision Mandated by Article II'
👉🏻On Saturday, Obama appointee Judge Paul… pic.twitter.com/0QpiJITzxt— Just Jodie (@Just_Jodie7) February 11, 2025
Engelmayer’s ruling stands out for its noticeably vague wording, ostensibly designed to restrict access solely to political appointees, while leaving career bureaucrats unfettered. This peculiar arrangement raises alarm bells as it blurs the lines of accountability and allows entrenched civil servants to operate without oversight from those elected to lead. Observers have pointed out that this striking decision places unprecedented power in the hands of a single judge, virtually usurping the authority that rightly belongs to the presidency and his Cabinet.
The Justice Department’s response underscores the potential chaos engendered by this order, asserting that such drastic measures inhibit a Cabinet Secretary’s inherent duty to manage their department. This interference disrupts not just daily operations, but could inflict permanent damage on the functioning of the government. The legal filing makes clear that allowing one judge to dictate terms in such a manner is not merely troubling—it’s a full-on attack on the integrity of the executive branch.
In the fallout, various high-profile Republicans, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Musk himself, have come out swinging against Engelmayer’s overreach. Vance condemned the ruling, suggesting it undermines the legitimate power of the presidency, while Musk didn’t hold back in calling for the judge’s impeachment, alleging a corrupt agenda in play. Even Trump himself expressed his disappointment on air before the Super Bowl, asserting that no judge should wield such power to impede the functions of a Cabinet member. Ultimately, this situation serves as a glaring reminder of the chess match being played between the branches of government, with the stakes higher than ever.
