President Trump blasted the conservative Federalist Society and its former leader, Leonard Leo, after a judge appointed on their recommendation issued a ruling against him, striking down parts of his sweeping tariff policy.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said that, as a newcomer to Washington, he had relied on the guidance of the Federalist Society and Leo—whom he labeled a “real sleazebag”—when making judicial appointments.
“It was suggested that I use the Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real ‘sleazebag’ named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America and obviously has his own separate ambitions,” Trump wrote.
“I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations. This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. They always must do what’s right for the Country! In this case it is only because of my successful use of tariffs that many trillions of dollars have already begun,” he added.
Trump went on to rip Leo, accusing him of bragging that he controls judges on the federal bench, including the U.S. Supreme Court. “I hope that is not so, and I don’t believe it is,” Trump noted in his post.
In a statement to the Washington Times, Leo did not directly address Trump’s criticisms.
“I’m very grateful for President Trump transforming the Federal Courts, and it was a privilege being involved. There’s more work to be done, for sure, but the Federal Judiciary is better than it’s ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trump’s most important legacy,” he said.
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed some of his highest tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico.
The panel determined that the president could not use emergency powers to address the U.S. trade deficit, as the tariffs did not directly target the fentanyl trade, the stated basis for the emergency declaration. Trump had argued that the steep tariffs were intended to pressure Beijing into taking stronger action against fentanyl trafficking.
Among the judges who struck down the tariffs was Judge Timothy Reif, a Trump appointee during his first term. The other two panel members, Judges Gary Katzmann and Jane Restani, were appointed by Presidents Obama and Reagan, respectively.
Reif joins a growing list of Trump-appointed judges who have ruled against his administration’s initiatives.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, a Trump appointee, blocked the administration’s attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals suspected of belonging to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
However, on Thursday afternoon, the full 11-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stayed that ruling, giving the White House time to file an appeal.
In his Truth Social post, Trump also questioned the motivation behind the judges on the trade court.
“How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of ‘TRUMP?’ What other reason could there be?” he wrote.
Trump also expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually side with him on the tariff issue, but cautioned that the consequences for the United States could be catastrophic if it does not.
“Under this decision, trillions of dollars would be lost by our country, money that will make America great again,” he said. “It would be the harshest financial ruling ever leveled on us as a sovereign nation.”