Trump Blames Federalist Society Leader for Trade Court Tariff Block

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the conservative legal group The Federalist Society and its former chair Leonard Leo following a federal court ruling blocking his tariff policies. Trump accused the group of providing him with "bad advice" on judicial nominations, which he believes contributed to unfavorable rulings against his administration’s tariffs, despite one of the judges involved being appointed by Trump himself. He expressed suspicion about the motives of the judges and condemned Leo, calling him a "sleazebag" who "probably hates America" and claiming Leo boasts about controlling judges and Supreme Court justices. While Trump acknowledged that Leo has since left The Federalist Society, he remains deeply disappointed with the group’s influence on judicial appointments. The controversy highlights a growing rift between Trump and the conservative legal establishment that supported his first term, particularly over the aggressive use of tariffs and the judiciary’s role in blocking parts of his agenda. The U.S. Court of International Trade initially blocked the tariffs, but a federal appellate court temporarily stayed that order, prolonging the legal battle over Trump’s trade policies.