U.S. District Judge Amir Ali has dismissed a lawsuit brought
by Democratic Party groups challenging an executive order issued by President
Donald Trump, ruling that the claims were too speculative to warrant judicial
intervention.
The lawsuit, filed by the Democratic National Committee,
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee in February, alleged that Trump's order threatened the independence
of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). However, in a Tuesday night ruling,
Judge Ali found no evidence that the FEC had been directed by the White House
to alter its conduct, noting that the commission had committed to remaining
independent and acting in accordance with the law.
"Without evidence contradicting these
commitments," Ali wrote, "the plaintiffs have not provided a concrete
basis to conclude that the FEC's independence is in jeopardy."
The executive order at the center of the case mandates that
independent agencies comply with legal interpretations issued by the president
or attorney general. It also prohibits executive branch officials from
advocating legal views that contradict those interpretations. Democrats argued
that this provision alone had already impacted their operations, causing them
to avoid contact with the FEC for fear of political influence.
Still, FEC attorneys asserted the agency would not cede to
the White House’s views, and lawyers representing Trump and Attorney General
Pam Bondi stated there was no intent to interfere with the commission's legal
interpretations.
Judge Ali, a Biden appointee based in Washington, has
previously been targeted by Trump and his allies for rulings that thwarted
parts of the former president’s agenda. In one high-profile case, Ali blocked a
mass termination of USAID contracts — a decision later upheld by the Supreme
Court — amid a controversial push linked to Elon Musk and the cryptocurrency
DOGE.
Tuesday’s ruling represents a setback for Democrats who fear
that Trump’s executive actions could reshape the nation’s election systems in
ways that suppress Democratic turnout and support his debunked claims of
widespread voter fraud. The same day, the Republican National Committee
announced its intent to join unrelated lawsuits challenging Trump’s election
directives, aiming to support his broader plans.
Although Ali dismissed the current case, he left the door
open for future legal action. “This Court’s doors are open to the parties,” he
noted, “if changed circumstances show concrete action or impact on the FEC’s or
its Commissioners’ independence.”
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