Trump Bites the Hand That Picked His SCOTUS "Hates America!"

Trump Turns on Longtime Legal Ally Leonard Leo, Accusing Him of Disloyalty

In a stunning turn of events, former President Donald Trump has publicly lashed out at Leonard Leo, the influential conservative legal activist who played a pivotal role in shaping his judicial appointments, including those to the Supreme Court. Trump's scathing remarks, delivered via his Truth Social platform, accuse Leo of being a "bad person" who "probably hates America."

The outburst appears to stem from a recent court ruling that invalidated many of Trump's tariffs. Adding insult to injury, this ruling came from a panel that included one of Trump's own appointees and leaned heavily on conservative legal theories. The former president didn't hold back, attacking the judges as well.

The Fallout: From Trusted Advisor to "Sleazebag"

Trump's post read, "I was new to Washington, and 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."

This is a stark contrast to Trump's previous praise for Leo and the Federalist Society. During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to rely on the organization for judicial selections. Leo was instrumental in providing lists of potential Supreme Court justices, ultimately influencing Trump's nominations of key conservative justices.

Key Facts:

• Leonard Leo advised Trump on Supreme Court picks, helping to solidify the court's 6-3 conservative majority.
• Trump once said he would have "great judges, conservative, all picked by the Federalist Society."
• A recent court ruling against Trump's tariffs, based on conservative legal principles, seems to have triggered the outburst.
• Trump now claims he's "disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations."

Leo's Response: A Measured Defense

In a statement, Leo responded with a measured tone: "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."

Why the Sudden Shift?

Several factors could be contributing to Trump's change of heart:

• Disappointment with Judicial Rulings: Trump has repeatedly clashed with judges in recent months, particularly over tariffs and immigration policy.
• Leo's Expanding Influence: Trump noted Leo's departure from the Federalist Society to pursue other ventures, including the Teneo Network, aimed at challenging liberal dominance in various fields.
• Conservative Infighting: The tariff ruling highlights potential divisions within the conservative legal movement, as some legal theories favored by Trump's own appointees are being used to challenge his policies.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the lawsuits challenging Trump's tariffs cite legal doctrines embraced by right-leaning Supreme Court justices, including those he appointed. This pits Trump's economic agenda against the very legal framework that conservative judges have championed.

This unexpected rift between Trump and Leo underscores the complex dynamics within the conservative legal landscape. Whether this is a temporary falling out or a permanent schism remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the political fallout from this public feud will likely reverberate through the legal and political spheres for some time to come.

Tags: Donald Trump, Leonard Leo, Federalist Society, Trump tariffs, conservative lawyers, Supreme Court, legal activist, Truth Social, Trump appointee, US politics

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-leonard-leo-probably-hates-america/