Fact Check: "Judge AliKhan called Trump's executive order a 'shocking abuse of power.'"
What We Know
On April 15, 2025, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a ruling blocking an executive order from President Trump that aimed to retaliate against the law firm Susman Godfrey. In her ruling, Judge AliKhan described the executive order as stemming from a "personal vendetta" and characterized it as a "shocking abuse of power" (New York Times). The order was intended to impose punitive measures against the firm, which had represented Dominion Voting Systems in a defamation case against Fox News, and had been targeted due to its involvement in legal actions against Trump (Business Insider).
Judge AliKhan's decision was part of a broader context where multiple judges had issued temporary restraining orders against similar executive actions aimed at various law firms involved in investigations related to Trump (Yahoo News). Her ruling emphasized the potential harm to the legal profession and the coercive nature of the executive order (Courthouse News).
Analysis
The claim that Judge AliKhan referred to Trump's executive order as a "shocking abuse of power" is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times, Business Insider, and Courthouse News all report her exact words during the ruling, indicating a high level of agreement among reputable news outlets regarding her statement (New York Times, Business Insider, Courthouse News).
The sources reporting on this ruling are credible and well-established, including major news organizations and legal news platforms. They provide detailed accounts of the court proceedings and the implications of Judge AliKhan's ruling. The consistency of the reporting across these sources lends additional credibility to the claim.
Moreover, the context of the ruling—where the judge expressed concerns about the implications of the executive order on the legal profession—further supports the assertion that her comments were serious and reflective of a broader legal and ethical concern (NBC News).
Conclusion
The claim that Judge AliKhan called Trump's executive order a "shocking abuse of power" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that she made this statement during her ruling, which was aimed at blocking the punitive measures outlined in the executive order against the law firm Susman Godfrey.
