The Only ‘Activist’ in the Room Is Trump’s Mouth
Trump Cries ‘Activist Judges!’—One of Them Was His Judge.
In the latest episode of Trumpian delusion, the former president is melting down over a court ruling that dared to check his imperial delusions of economic grandeur. After a three-judge panel struck down large swaths of his tariffs as illegal, Trump turned to his favorite playbook—smear the judiciary, whine about “activist judges,” and hope the base doesn’t Google anything.
But let’s look at the facts. The ruling wasn’t handed down by some deep state liberal cabal. It came from a panel composed of three judges: Timothy Reif (appointed by Trump), Jane Restani (appointed by Reagan), and Gary Katzmann (appointed by Obama). That’s not judicial activism. That’s a bipartisan slap in the face to Trump’s fantasy that the presidency comes with unlimited power and zero accountability.
Let’s be clear: Trump is raging against his own judge.
The decision wasn’t ideological; it was constitutional. The judges cited conservative legal reasoning, leaning on doctrines like nondelegation and the major questions doctrine—the very principles conservative legal scholars have spent decades waving like flags at Federalist Society cocktail hours. Far from judicial overreach, the ruling was a textbook exercise in separation of powers. Congress gives the president authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but not a blank check to reshape the global economy with rage tariffs every time Trump stubs his toe on China.
These judges didn’t legislate from the bench—they read the law. That’s their job. The ruling affirmed what anyone not deep in the throes of cultish propaganda already knows: presidents, even gold-plated reality TV ones, must follow the law. If you find that controversial, you might be in a cult.
Trump’s tantrum is less about law and more about ego. When the judiciary does its job and tells a president “you can’t do that,” it’s called checks and balances. When it happens to Trump, he calls it treason. MAGA supporters eat it up, screaming “deep state!” and “weaponized justice!”—all while ignoring that Trump literally picked one of the judges. It would be hilarious if it weren’t so corrosive.
The truth is this: shouting “activist judge!” doesn’t make it true. It just makes you look like a petulant child throwing LEGOs at the Constitution. And if your followers believe it without question, that’s not patriotism—it’s propaganda swallowing itself whole.
This wasn’t rogue justice. It was the rule of law tapping Trump on the shoulder and saying: You’re not a king. Sit down.