They're Hiding an Authoritarian Power Grab in the Budget Bill
This is how they plan to shut down lawsuits against government abuse
Legal Coup in the Courts: Senate Provision Curbs Challenges to Trump’s Authoritarian Overreach
While most Americans are focused on blockbuster headlines, Congress is quietly moving to make it nearly impossible to challenge federal abuse in court. The Senate has replaced the House’s clause that would have shielded the government from contempt charges with a more insidious provision: any person or entity seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) or preliminary injunction against the federal government must first post a massive bond - upfront.1
This provision marks the most aggressive constitutional sabotage yet by the Project 2025 forces—targeting the courts themselves to shut down resistance.2
This isn’t just procedure—it’s a structural deterrent designed to PREVENT challenges to government overreach. Whether you are an immigrant-rights group, state attorney general, or environmental nonprofit, you’ll be unable to pause unconstitutional actions unless you can bankroll projected federal losses in advance. Judges are forbidden from waiving or reducing these bonds based on hardship or public-interest. 3
Meanwhile, the federal government itself can seek injunctions without posting a bond, which elevates federal power above the rule of law.4
This isn’t about budgets. It’s a sneaky authoritarian play. And, it is worse than the provision the House tried to get past us. By requiring bonds upfront for any challenge of government overreach, Congress is ensuring that justice is determined by a dictator - not by the Constitution.5
Who Is Affected?
This Senate maneuver will hit hard:
Civil rights groups fighting unlawful deportations or voter suppression
Environmental advocates trying to stop clean-air violations or pipelines
Peaceful protestors exercising their First Amendment rights
States challenging federal policy overreach in areas like climate, healthcare, immigration
Even the State of California could face multi‑million‑dollar bond demands—just to ask for judicial relief
What This Means
If this passes:
Justice becomes a privilege of the wealthy
The federal government becomes effectively immune to urgent legal checks
Unconstitutional executive actions proceed unchecked—not because they’re lawful, but because they’re unaffordable to fight
Undermines judicial authority by limiting courts’ discretion to grant emergency relief
This is judicial disarmament, disguised as normalcy. It is a clear authoritarian power play!
Don’t let the Senate sneak this insidious power grab into the budget bill. Call your Senators today, and ask your friends and family to do the same. With a Project 2025 directed executive branch and an enabling Republican Congress, our courts are all that is left to stop the illegal power grab.
This is freaking madness!! I had thought (silly me!) that the Senate would somehow handle the problems in this bill, not make it worse.