Trump Faces Staggering Wave of Setbacks as Courts, Congress Push Back

Liberty Check

• Federal judge blocks Trump’s Kennedy Center renovation, citing congressional authority—separation of powers in action
• GOP lawmakers force reversal of controversial Jan. 6 fund, proving checks and balances still matter
• Supreme Court strikes down unilateral global tariffs, reinforcing constitutional limits on executive power

President Trump has encountered a series of significant challenges this week, forcing him to recalibrate several high-profile initiatives. The pushback has come from multiple fronts—federal courts, members of his own party, and an increasingly skeptical public.

The most dramatic reversal involved Trump’s proposed $1.8-billion “anti-weaponization” fund, with the majority earmarked for Jan. 6 defendants. When Republican lawmakers openly criticized the plan, calling it a potential slush fund, the president pulled the plug on the entire funding scheme.

The controversy stemmed from Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns—a legitimate grievance, but one that raised eyebrows when the sitting president appeared to be negotiating compensation with his own subordinates.

Trump has also clashed with the judiciary, including the Supreme Court. After the high court struck down his sweeping global tariffs, he didn’t hold back, calling justices “fools and lapdogs,” a “disgrace” and an “embarrassment.”

Then came the Kennedy Center dispute. A federal judge ordered Trump’s name removed from the iconic venue and temporarily blocked a planned two-year shutdown set to begin this summer.

Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Trump’s renaming violated a 1964 law explicitly designating the institution in honor of President John F. Kennedy. Only Congress has the authority to change it, Cooper said, setting a two-week deadline for compliance.

Trump responded on Truth Social, suggesting he would hand the matter over to Congress:

“Unfortunately, Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of, much as I have done, in many cases, throughout my life.”

The broader issue is growing judicial skepticism toward the administration’s legal arguments. The New York Times noted that Trump’s Justice Department lawyers have adopted “an unusually combative tone with judges who rule against them.”

A DOJ spokesperson fired back:

“Any attack on the professionalism or integrity of DOJ attorneys is outrageous and unjustified.”

Public opinion has also shifted. A PBS/Marist poll found 60 percent of Americans disapprove of the ongoing Iran conflict, with frustration mounting over rising food and gas prices. The proposed $250 bill featuring Trump’s image has drawn criticism, as have plans to demolish the East Wing and construct a 250-foot arch and White House ballroom—now funded by a $1 billion taxpayer appropriation rather than private donations.

Meanwhile, the July 4 concert was canceled after numerous performers withdrew, including Milli Vanilli, Flo Rida, and Young MC. Trump will instead host a MAGA rally.

Despite rumors about his health, Trump remains sharp. He can still hold lengthy interviews and recall details from decades ago. Critics suggesting cognitive decline are pushing a false narrative. His late-night Truth Social posts, however, often come across as overheated and reactive.

At nearly 80, Trump shows no signs of slowing down—but this week proved that even a force as dominant as his must reckon with constitutional limits and political reality.

The Constitution must be defended.