By Tony Bruce & Mary Jones | Sunday, March 09, 2025 | 5 min read
On September 6, 2024, before Donald J. Trump’s election victory, we asked a critical question: Could MAGA insurrectionists attack the Supreme Court over rulings against Trump? Now, with Trump back in office and Supreme Court justices swearing in key members of his cabinet—an undeniable sign of allegiance—the answer has become clearer than ever.
No one can deny that this Supreme Court has consistently turned a blind eye to Trump’s legal troubles, both past and present. If history is any guide, that same leniency won’t be extended to a Democrat in office. Justice Alito, for example, will likely cite some obscure legal doctrine to justify denying a Democrat the same standard of justice granted to Trump. With the Court consistently ruling in Trump’s favor—including affirming his right to engage in dubious financial dealings—corruption and chaos have only escalated.
The Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling laid the groundwork for this moment, opening the floodgates for unlimited political spending and giving billionaires like Elon Musk an open invitation to buy influence. Instead of a government that serves the people, we now have a system where the wealthiest individuals shape policies to benefit themselves—often at the expense of everyday Americans.
The removal of watchdogs was just the beginning. Trump’s administration has also targeted federal agencies like the FBI and foreign intelligence services—institutions tasked with investigating financial crimes, including money laundering and corruption. By systematically weakening these agencies, Trump and his allies have effectively created a landscape where billionaires can operate unchecked, moving money and power with no oversight.
This erosion of accountability is especially alarming given Trump’s track record. Since taking office, he has dismantled key financial regulations designed to prevent illicit money flows. This has made it easier for wealthy elites to hide their fortunes, dodge taxes, and engage in dubious financial activities without fear of consequences. What was once a government committed to financial transparency has now become a playground for the ultra-rich, where laws are rewritten to benefit those who hold the deepest pockets.
The alliance between Musk and Trump highlights a troubling reality: America’s political system is increasingly being shaped by and for the billionaire class. When the wealthiest individuals can buy influence at the highest levels, policies no longer serve the public interest—they cater to those with the financial power to manipulate the system in their favor.
This is not just political favoritism—it’s a direct threat to democracy. A government that prioritizes the interests of the financial elite over oversight, accountability, and the rule of law ceases to function as a democracy. The burden of this unchecked power grab falls squarely on the shoulders of everyday Americans, who will suffer under policies designed to enrich the privileged few.
This isn’t about making the government more efficient or running it like a business. If that were the case, the administration wouldn’t have begun by systematically firing inspectors general—the very officials responsible for uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in federal agencies. Instead, we are witnessing a deliberate effort to dismantle accountability, ensuring that those at the top can operate without scrutiny.
The verdict is in, and the Supreme Court has once again become a political battleground. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, once a celebrated figure in conservative circles, now finds herself the target of MAGA fury after voting to reject Trump’s bid to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. The backlash was immediate and vicious—one prominent conservative dismissed her as a “rattled law professor with her head up her ass,” while others flooded social media with attacks, calling her a “DEI hire” and “evil.”
Barrett’s fall from favor is striking. She was once a pillar of the conservative legal movement, helping to reshape the Court’s stance on religious freedoms in COVID-related cases, playing a decisive role in overturning Roe v. Wade, and strengthening Second Amendment rights. She even backed the conservative majority in granting Trump sweeping immunity for official acts. Yet, despite aligning with Justices Thomas and Alito more than 80% of the time, two recent rulings have shattered her standing among Trump’s most ardent supporters.
One of those rulings centered on Trump’s legal battle with Stormy Daniels. In a move that caught many off guard, Barrett joined the majority in allowing a key legal challenge related to Trump’s alleged hush money payments to proceed. For years, Trump and his legal team had worked to shut down the case, calling it a politically motivated attack. But with this ruling, Barrett signaled that at least some justices weren’t willing to shield him from legal scrutiny. While the decision didn’t determine Trump’s guilt or innocence, it kept the case alive—something his loyalists saw as a betrayal.
Taken together, these rulings have upended Barrett’s once-untouchable status in MAGA circles. Despite her reliably conservative record, the expectation of unwavering loyalty to Trump has put her in the crosshairs. In today’s political landscape, ideology is no longer enough—absolute allegiance is required.
This pattern extends beyond Barrett. Even Chief Justice John Roberts, a consistent conservative vote, has faced MAGA scorn in recent years. The expectation is clear: Supreme Court justices must show unwavering loyalty to Trump, or they will face public condemnation and political retaliation.
Barrett’s ruling signals that not every decision will be dictated by political allegiance. However, the broader trend remains troubling. When justices are pressured to align with a political agenda rather than uphold the Constitution, the integrity of the judiciary is compromised.
The Supreme Court, once a symbol of impartial justice, has become entangled with powerful interests. Justices like Thomas and Alito have transformed it into a political instrument, openly benefiting from extravagant gifts—luxury motorhomes, private flights, and other perks provided by wealthy conservative donors. Their allegiances are so predictable that even a child could guess how they will rule in cases involving Trump. This troubling dynamic erodes public trust and raises pressing concerns about whether the Court can still function as a true check on power. History warns us that when judicial independence fades, the foundations of democracy soon follow.
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