They were once allies: Donald Trump and Leonard Leo, the legal mastermind behind the conservative shift at the Supreme Court. Leo, longtime head of the Federalist Society, had advised Trump in selecting judges and is seen as the architect of the majority that overturned Roe v. Wade. Now, Trump calls him a “real sleazebag” – and accuses him of recommending the wrong judges. The outburst came on Truth Social, after a three-judge panel blocked Trump’s global tariff policy. The court ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority by invoking the 1977 emergency powers law. While an appeals court soon reinstated the tariffs, Trump’s fury was unleashed. Leonard Leo became the main target.
Trump accused Leo of giving him bad advice when he was new to Washington. The Federalist Society, he said, was “under the control of a man who probably hates America.” Leo, driven by personal ambition, was to blame for the fact that Trump’s agenda is now being blocked by judges he himself appointed. Leo responded briefly and diplomatically. He said he was grateful to have contributed to the transformation of the federal courts. The Federalist Society and Leo himself, he added, had no role in the appointments to the trade court. In fact, the judge in question, Timothy Reif, was nominated by Trump but had previously worked in Democratic circles and donated to Hillary Clinton and others.
Trump was unmoved. For him, the judiciary is increasingly an adversary. Courts repeatedly block key elements of his agenda – mass deportations, funding cuts to universities, the firing of public employees. The attempt to subjugate the judiciary is faltering – and Trump responds by assigning blame. Yet Leo was long one of the most influential conservative power architects in the country. He built networks, promoted lawyers with originalist views, and systematically expanded influence – from law schools to the highest courts. Without him, Trump would never have gained the trust of the religious right. Today, that very man is under public attack.
Leo has long since turned to new goals. With the Teneo Network, he aims to foster conservative talent not only in the judiciary, but in all areas of American life – business, media, entertainment. His opponents protest outside his home. His former allies publicly insult him.
What remains is a picture of division. Trump is breaking with the architects of his power base. The judiciary becomes the enemy. And Leonard Leo – once a kingmaker – becomes a target. A further sign of how unstable a system becomes when it is meant to serve only one will.
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