Written by 🏛️ THE REPUBLIC REPORT 🏛️
MIDDAY BRIEFING • SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
⚖️ CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Supreme Court Enables Trump to Withhold $4 Billion in Congressional Aid
Source: POLITICO | Time: September 26, 2025, 5:10 PM EDT
According to POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney, the Supreme Court has given President Donald Trump the go-ahead to unilaterally withhold $4 billion in foreign aid previously appropriated by Congress in a crucial constitutional battle over the power of the purse. The high court’s ruling Friday, issued over the dissent of the three liberal justices, signals Trump has the upper hand in this battle (Source: POLITICO). Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the dissenters, warned that the administration’s stance shortchanged the role the Constitution gives to Congress over spending, stating “That is just the price of living under a Constitution that gives Congress the power to make spending decisions through the enactment of appropriations laws” (Source: POLITICO). Constitutional experts note this represents a significant shift in the balance of power between executive and legislative branches, with potential implications for congressional authority over federal spending.
🏢 FEDERAL ACTIONS
Trump Signs ‘Domestic Terrorism’ Memo Targeting Left-Wing Groups
Source: Los Angeles Times | Time: September 27, 2025, 3:00 AM PT
As reported by the Los Angeles Times’ Kevin Rector, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum focusing federal law enforcement on disrupting “domestic terrorism,” with critics arguing it represents a blueprint for vengeance against political opponents. According to the LA Times, during the White House signing Thursday, Trump and his advisors repeatedly hinted at a broader campaign against the American left, with Trump stating “We’re looking at the funders of a lot of these groups” and referencing Black Lives Matter as problematic (Source: LA Times). Constitutional scholars and historians, as quoted by the LA Times, said the memo strongly paralleled past government efforts at political repression, with Penn State professor Douglas M. Charles asking “What is this, McCarthyism redux?” (Source: LA Times). The memo’s language targeting “extremism on migration, race and gender” and “anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity” has raised concerns about First Amendment protections.
📜 LEGISLATIVE WATCH
Federal Shutdown Looms as Congressional Negotiations Stall
Source: Multiple Sources | Time: September 27, 2025
According to WATE News, Democrats are preparing for a possible federal shutdown with their endgame uncertain, as reported 3 hours ago. The Supreme Court’s foreign aid ruling, as noted by POLITICO, could make bipartisan negotiations “an even taller order” as Democrats must now face the prospect that Trump could refuse to spend funds appropriated by Congress (Source: POLITICO). Halifax CityNews reported that “Trump’s vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk grows,” highlighting the deteriorating relationship between the executive and legislative branches (Source: Halifax CityNews). The constitutional implications of a shutdown combined with Trump’s new impoundment powers represent a significant test of congressional authority and the separation of powers doctrine.
⚖️ JUDICIAL UPDATES
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Appeals to Supreme Court for Job Protection
Source: The Hill | Time: September 26, 2025, 12:03 PM ET
According to The Hill’s Ella Lee, Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook has implored the Supreme Court to keep her in her post while her lawsuit over President Trump’s attempt to fire her moves forward. As reported by The Hill, Cook’s lawyers told the justices that siding with the Trump administration would “eviscerate” the Fed’s independence and “transform the Federal Reserve into a body subservient to the President’s will” (Source: The Hill). The case represents the first time a president has attempted to fire a Fed governor, raising unprecedented questions about central bank independence. Former Fed chairs Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke, and Janet Yellen have urged the Supreme Court to let Cook keep her job, as reported by ABC News (Source: ABC News). Constitutional law experts note this case could fundamentally alter the relationship between the executive branch and independent federal agencies.
Former FBI Director James Comey Indicted Following Trump’s Public Demands
Source: Los Angeles Times | Time: September 25, 2025
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction, shortly after Trump publicly demanded prosecutions of his political opponents. According to the LA Times, John Day, president-elect of the American College of Trial Lawyers, expressed grave concerns about the process, stating “This is not the way the legal system was designed to work, and it’s not the way it has worked for 250 years” (Source: LA Times). The indictment came after Trump posted on Truth Social demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi prosecute several prominent political opponents, writing “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!” (Source: LA Times). Legal experts cited by the LA Times have raised concerns about the independence of the Justice Department and the potential politicization of federal law enforcement.
🇺🇸 DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
Constitutional Crisis Concerns Mount Over Executive Power Expansion
Source: Multiple Constitutional Experts | Time: September 27, 2025
According to POLITICO’s Playbook, constitutional experts are warning of a potential constitutional crisis, with one headline reading “FLIRTING WITH A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS: Trump Fired a U.S. Attorney Who Insisted on Following a Court Order” (Source: POLITICO Playbook). The Guardian reported that Trump’s recent actions represent “Free speech for me, not for thee,” noting that “the president designated antifa a ‘domestic terrorist organization’, a move that potentially breaches the first amendment” (Source: The Guardian). California Governor Gavin Newsom, as quoted by the LA Times, warned that “Trump is waging a crusade of retribution — abusing the federal government as a weapon of personal revenge,” adding “Today it’s his enemies. Tomorrow it may be you” (Source: LA Times). Constitutional scholars are expressing unprecedented concern about the erosion of democratic norms and the concentration of executive power.
Checks and Balances Under Strain as Federal Institutions Face Pressure
Source: Multiple News Organizations | Time: September 27, 2025
According to various reports, the traditional system of checks and balances is facing unprecedented strain. The Times of India reported that Trump publicly demanded Microsoft dismiss Lisa Monaco, calling her “corrupt and totally Trump deranged” and citing national security risks (Source: Times of India). California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as reported by the LA Times, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing “grave concern” with the Comey indictment and asking her to “reassert the long-standing independence of the U.S. Department of Justice from political interference” (Source: LA Times). Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), quoted by the LA Times, warned that the administration is “weaponizing the federal government against opponents,” stating “If this abuse of power is normalized, no dissenting voice will be safe” (Source: LA Times). These developments represent a significant test of America’s constitutional framework and the resilience of democratic institutions.
🗽 Vigilance is the price of liberty • Keeping watch over our republic 🗽
This report monitors the health of American democratic institutions
