Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ignited controversy on Fox News, urging President Donald Trump to consider drastic measures against district courts.
Breitbart reported that during a Sunday broadcast, Gingrich accused these courts of undermining Trump’s authority through what he termed “dictatorship by judge.” His remarks signal a bold challenge to judicial overreach, resonating with Americans frustrated by institutional corruption.
Gingrich appeared as a guest on Fox News Channel’s “Life, Liberty & Levin,” hosted by Mark Levin. He argued that district courts are attempting to act as an “alternative president” by issuing rulings that defy Trump’s policies.
The former speaker suggested Trump look to history for a solution, citing former President Thomas Jefferson’s actions.
Jefferson repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which eliminated 14 judgeships without requiring impeachment. This precedent, Gingrich argued, could guide Trump in addressing modern judicial overreach.
Jefferson’s repeal effectively dissolved the positions of 14 judges, forcing them out of office. Gingrich proposed that Trump could similarly eliminate district courts to curb their influence. Such a move would send a clear message that judicial activism will not be tolerated.
Gingrich’s comments reflect growing public distrust in government institutions. He referenced a poll by America’s New Majority Project, which revealed that over 80% of Americans view the government as corrupt. This statistic underscores the sentiment fueling calls for reform among Trump’s supporters.
The former speaker linked this distrust to a pattern of government deception. He claimed a generation has witnessed lies about COVID, Russia, FBI corruption, and Afghanistan. These grievances, he argued, justify bold action against institutions perceived as complicit in systemic corruption.
During the broadcast, host Mark Levin described the opposition’s agenda as “American Marxism.” He suggested that critics of Trump avoid discussing their true motives, preferring to rely on tired narratives. Levin’s framing aligned with Gingrich’s critique of entrenched elites.
Gingrich responded by emphasizing the public’s disillusionment with government. “You have a whole generation growing up, which saw the government lie,” he said. He argued that this erosion of trust fuels support for Trump’s anti-corruption efforts.
He further noted that the poll’s findings highlight a “really dangerous” situation for a free society. Over 80% of Americans believe that government corruption signals a crisis of confidence. Gingrich positioned Trump as a leader confronting this crisis head-on.
Gingrich reserved his sharpest criticism for district court judges. “There is no constitutional basis for a district court judge to think that they can become an alternative president,” he declared. He labeled many of their decisions as “absurd” and unconstitutional.
He suggested that eliminating district courts could be necessary to restore balance. “We may have to eliminate some district courts just to communicate that we’re not going to tolerate dictatorship by the judge,” Gingrich stated. This proposal marks a radical departure from conventional judicial reform strategies.
The idea of dissolving courts echoes Jefferson’s approach, which avoided the lengthy process of impeachment. By repealing the Judiciary Act, Jefferson swiftly removed judges without formal proceedings. Gingrich’s invocation of this tactic underscores his urgency in addressing judicial overreach.
By advocating for the elimination of district courts, Gingrich is pushing for a seismic shift in how America addresses judicial power.
His comments on Fox News amplify a growing call to restore traditional values and curb elitist overreach. As Trump navigates these challenges, Gingrich’s ideas may shape the debate over judicial reform.