Former DOJ attorney John Yoo predicts a costly legal battle for Democrats challenging President Trump's executive orders. He anticipates Trump will ultimately succeed in most cases, though Democrats might achieve temporary delays. Over 50 lawsuits have already been filed against the Trump administration, targeting executive orders issued since his January 20th inauguration. These orders address various aspects of Trump's "America First" agenda, from government spending and illegal immigration to the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Democratic officials have expressed strong disapproval of these policies, particularly the creation of DOGE, currently investigating federal agencies for potential mismanagement and overspending. Several Democratic state attorneys general had previously pledged to oppose Trump's agenda through legal challenges. This resistance has intensified since his inauguration, with promises to fight "in the courts and in the streets," as stated by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

These numerous lawsuits follow four criminal indictments against Trump between his two terms. Trump has consistently criticized these cases, including those in Manhattan, Georgia, and the two led by special counsel Jack Smith, as politically motivated "lawfare" designed to hinder his re-election bid. Yoo, however, distinguishes the current legal challenges from previous "lawfare" attempts, viewing them as standard separation-of-powers disputes rather than personal attacks.

He points out that Republicans similarly challenged policies of the Obama and Biden administrations, including the Affordable Care Act, DACA, and Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. Yoo believes this legal back-and-forth is typical in American politics. He notes that Trump's control of the Justice Department changes the dynamics, predicting significant expenses for Democrats with limited success. Some lawsuits have already resulted in temporary injunctions against Trump's orders, such as the one concerning birthright citizenship. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed confidence in the administration's legal position, asserting that the injunctions lack legal merit and that the president acted within his authority. She sees these lawsuits as a continuation of the "weaponization of justice" against Trump.