Trump Ignites the 9th Circuit Over the Border – A Thanksgiving Throw‑Down
On Thanksgiving Day, while most folks were busy carving turkey, President Donald Trump took the stage at his Florida ranch and went on a full‑blown rant about the judiciary—and, unsurprisingly, the Mexico‑U.S. border. He accused judges of making the country “unsafe,” a claim that rippled across the nation as he tried to convince the world that asylum seekers are the worst criminals for crime‑free America.
Why the Confusion? What Trump Tried to Say
- Border Fear: Trump threatened a full border shutdown unless the situation “gets out of control.” He vouched that the caravan at the U.S.‑Mexico frontier is full of “bad people” looking for asylum.
- Saudi Hype: He doubled down on Saudi Arabia’s denial that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, claiming the CIA had no contrary evidence.
- Remember the Rule: The president issued a decree that only people entering at official border points can apply for asylum. A federal judge later blocked the plan, sparking yet more heat.
These comments were broadcast to troops worldwide in a teleconference that usually would be a moment of gratitude and pride. Instead, Trump let the threads of a border crisis unravel over the holiday.
The 9th Circuit and the “Obama Judge” Rant
Trump labeled the San Francisco appellate court, headed by Judge Jon Tigar, a “big thorn in our side.” He also slammed Chief Justice John Roberts for defending the independence of federal judges. The chief justice shot back: “We don’t have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges.”
Meanwhile, Justice Roberts hammered home that the judiciary is “dedicated” and “doing their level best” to ensure equal justice for all—an alarm bell that loudly rang on the sidelines of a Thanksgiving speaker’s tour.
Border Talk While Troops Stand By
Trump bragged about new “barbed wire plus” and told troops that lethal force was an option if needed. He was not shy about telling them, “If you have to, you have to use lethal force. I hope you don’t have to, but you’re dealing with about 500 serious criminals.”
- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier said troops would be armed with batons.
- More than 4,300 migrants—mostly from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala—had gathered in Tijuana next to San Diego after a tire‑draining trek from Central America.
<li “If we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control… we will close entry into the country until we can get it under control,” Trump said.
The 9th Circuit’s Reputation on the Trial Table
Trump repeatedly mentioned that the 9th Circuit is “a complete and total disaster.” In fact, the circuit had the fourth highest reversal rate during the October 2017 term.
“Judges must not legislate security or safety at the border, or anywhere else,” the President tweeted, calling them “incompetent” and, in his voice, “making our country unsafe.”
Quick Takeaway
In a day that started with thanks and ended with a border showdown, Trump’s remarks added a new chapter to the clash between the executive branch and the judiciary—especially when the consequences are as real as a border line or a holiday meal. The country watches, the courts answer, and the conversation about whether the judges or the President should single-handedly dictate national safety continues to heat up—just in time for the next holiday scramble.
