Last month, a federal judge in Washington, DC blocked a key part of the president Donald TrumpExecutive Order on Election Integrity – A move to emphasize how deeply divided the country is about what “election integrity” really means.
The title of the executive order signed by Trump was entitled “Maintaining and protecting the integrity of American elections.” Democrats (DNC)This led a group of plaintiffs to challenge the order in federal court, claiming it was an attempt to break into elections and disenfranchise voters.
In the end, both sides won – of sorts, and at least for now. Here’s what you need to know about the case in question:
After the election, President Trump chose to dance at the US Fest in Arizona. (Rick Scuteri/AP)
Why did the judge block some of the orders?
US District Judge Colleen Coller Cotery is finally It remains in place Three key parts of Trump’s executive order, including clauses that require states not to count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, in partial victory for the Trump administration.
But for now, she has sided with Democrat plaintiffs in blocking both the new citizenship requirements on the federal voter registration form and the provisions that direct election officials to examine voters’ citizenship.
Voters are working on the polling station at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in Simi Valley, California, at Election Day. (AP photo/Cris Pizzello)
Does she have the authority to do so?
Clearly, yes. That is exactly the problem modern presidents face when they try to make permanent policy changes through executive orders. This is a tactic that is increasingly preferred by both Democrats and Republicans.
It’s a dangerous way to govern for two reasons. The first is that these orders could be overturned just as easily by the next commander (as on display under the past four administrations).
They also risk being suspended in federal courts where US judges are explicitly administered as president’s checks, allowing them to freely suspend or suspend that they have power. Out of range of the administrative authorities.
That also does not mean that the district courts need to have final say on this issue.
Trump’s presidential order on votes blocked by federal judges amid gusts of legal setback
The House of Representatives of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court will be seen early in the morning in Washington, DC, December 10, 2024. (DavidAke/Getty Images)
Kollar-Kotelly highlighted last month its voter registration laws and its ability to regulate elections. It is set by the council And not by administrative agencies, but by individual states.
Both states and Congress can pass laws as long as they cannot “unnecessarily impose” undue burdens on voters under the 14th amendment of the US Constitution.
However, the judges say that administrative departments that do not share these capabilities to pass election-related laws and pass them are not entitled to legal review of the same standards.
“Our constitution entrusts Congress and the state with powers to regulate federal elections, not the president,” Coller Cotery said in her ruling.
Judge v Trump: The main court battle to stop the White House agenda is here
Next Steps
Of course, the Trump administration is free to appeal the decision to the High Court if it chooses to do so.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in response to last month’s ruling.
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However, the next step remains unknown. Until now, the administration has not pleaded the issue, and authorities have not stated clearly whether they are planning to do so.
