Some lower federal judges are acting as if their job is to resist the Trump administration’s agenda rather than follow Supreme Court precedent. They overtly express disagreement with the court, then use clever tactics to evade the high court’s directions.

 

The Judicial Insubordination Crisis

Lower-court judges are defying precedent and even openly criticizing Supreme Court justices.

By 

Elizabeth Price Foley

 and 

Mark Pinkert

Sept. 11, 2025 4:26 pm ET