Obama-Appointed Judges Block Border Wall Funds And ‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Law

“U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam in Oakland, Calif., said President Trump’s plans to divert federal money to build a border wall, absent appropriations from Congress, exceeded the executive’s authority,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “The judge issued a preliminary injunction that blocks the administration from proceeding on projects slated for immediate construction.”

“If and when the Trump administration announces additional projects at the border, the challengers in the case—environmentalists and southern border community organizations—can come back to court and seek an injunction against those as well,” The Journal added. “The ruling is the first of its kind on the issue. Several other border-wall cases are pending around the country, including one in Washington, D.C., where the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is suing the Trump administration.”

The announcement came after U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves issued an injunction on Friday blocking Mississippi’s “heartbeat” abortion law.

“Reeves’ order will combine the lawsuit against Mississippi’s fetal heartbeat ban with an ongoing one against the state’s previous 15-week abortion ban,” the Clarion-Ledger reported. “Attorneys for the state — and political leaders including Gov. Phil Bryant — argue Mississippi has an interest in protecting unborn children.”