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By Peter Aitken and Hannah Parry
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Attorney General Pamela Bondi has welcomed Friday's Supreme Court ruling that individual federal judges do not have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions.
Why It Matters
Today's ruling delivers a victory to President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized lower court judges for blocking his policies on a broad scale. Bondi has led the charge against nationwide injunctions, often criticizing the judges who issue them.
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The injunctions have been a thorn in the side of administrations from both parties, with aggrieved parties often filing in specific, favorable courts that would then issue nationwide stays on presidential orders.
The issuance of nationwide injunctions gained momentum during former President Barack Obama's administration and has since been escalating.
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What To Know
In a post on X, Bondi cheered the Supreme Court's decision, which applies some limits to federal judges in lower courts. She also applauded the lawyers of her Justice Department for their "tireless work"—singling out Solicitor General General John Sauer—in achieving this result.
"Today, the Supreme Court instructed district courts to STOP the endless barrage of nationwide injunctions against President Trump," Bondi wrote. She added that the Department of Justice would "continue to zealously defend" Trump's policies.
Bondi also spoke alongside Trump during a press conference held midday Friday at the White House to address the Supreme Court decision, saying: "Americans are finally getting what they voted for. No longer will we have rogue judges striking down President Trump's policies across the entire nation. No longer."
Bondi highlighted that 35 of the 40 nationwide injunctions issued against Trump's policies over the past five months have come from just five of the 94 federal judicial districts, and she noted that the issue has remained a "bipartisan problem that has lasted ... five different presidents."
The Justice Department made nationwide injunctions—also known as universal injunctions—a chief issue, bringing the case before the Supreme Court in an effort to at least limit that power and free Trump to pursue his policy slate without the inhibition of regional courts.
Such injunctions have helped opponents of the president's agenda slow down or outright pause his immigration policies, particularly the fight over the constitutionality of Trump's effort to limit birthright citizenship.
In an emergency appeal on the matter written in March, attorney Sarah Harris wrote: "Years of experience have shown that the Executive Branch cannot properly perform its functions if any judge anywhere can enjoin every presidential action everywhere."
What People Are Saying
Attorney General Pam Bondi during Friday's press conference said, in part: "Today, in the six three opinion, Justice Barrett correctly holds that the district court lacks authority to enter nationwide or universal injunctions. These lawless injunctions gave relief to everyone in the world, instead of the parties before the court, as the Supreme Court held today, they turned district courts into the Imperial judiciary, active liberal justices."
She added: "It is the President's authority under his executive branch to do everything to fight for the American people, and he will continue to do that. That's why he was overwhelmingly elected."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "GIANT WIN in the United States Supreme Court! Even the Birthright Citizenship Hoax has been, indirectly, hit hard. It had to do with the babies of slaves (same year!), not the SCAMMING of our Immigration process. Congratulations to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Solicitor General John Sauer, and the entire DOJ. News Conference at the White House, 11:30 A.M. EST."
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X: "A huge rulling by the Supreme Court, smacking down the ridiculous process of nationwide injunctions. Under our system, everyone has to follow the law--including judges!"
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus wrote on X: "The Supreme Court's decision to limit nationwide injunctions is a dangerous step backward. It weakens the courts' ability to protect our communities and directly attacks birthright citizenship. The CHC will fight this with everything we've got."
Former Fox News Host Megyn Kelly wrote on X: "SUPREME COURT DEALS HARD BLOW TO RESISTANCE 2.0 BY HOLDING NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS ARE IMPROPER INFRINGEMENT BY COURTS ON POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE. HUGE W FOR TRUMP!!" adding in a second post: "What a day!!! God bless the rule of law!"
Update 6/27/25, 12:08 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/27/25, 11:35 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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