Trump’s Second Term: 100 Days of Executive Orders, Legal Battles, and a Constitutional Showdown

President Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in the Oval Office have been nothing short of a legal rollercoaster. He’s signed more than 150 executive orders—yes, you read that right—outpacing his predecessors and making sure everyone from Congress to the courts is paying attention. These orders aim to slash government spending, tighten the border, and sweep away a slew of diversity and equity initiatives from the Biden era.

But for every pen stroke, there’s been a flurry of lawsuits. Legal challenges have landed in courtrooms coast to coast, turning the federal court system into a high-speed ping-pong match of hearings, appeals, and late-night emergency orders. The central question: just how far can a president stretch executive power before the courts hit the brakes?

Trump’s critics say his rapid-fire tactics are meant to confuse and outmaneuver opponents, while his team argues it’s all about cutting through Washington gridlock and pushing his agenda with surgical precision. Either way, it’s created a legal showdown that feels like a season finale with way too many plot twists.

The administration’s biggest legal fights? They’re centered on the Alien Enemies Act—a law dating back to 1798—used to deport select migrants to El Salvador, and challenges to Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. The courts haven’t been shy about pushing back: two federal judges have hinted at possible contempt proceedings against Trump officials who allegedly ignored their orders. In one case, a judge blasted the administration for not returning a wrongfully deported Maryland resident, while another said there was probable cause to find officials in criminal contempt for defying his directive on deportation flights.

Trump insists he’d "never defy" the Supreme Court, pledging respect for the justices. Critics counter that his actions already cross the line, with attorney Mark Zaid warning that ditching legal norms could tip the balance of power dangerously in favor of the executive branch. "These actions threaten the fundamental notion of our democracy," Zaid said, pointing to efforts to trim due process protections in the name of power.

The administration hasn’t taken the legal hits lying down, questioning whether lower courts should be able to halt Trump’s agenda. The Supreme Court is set to weigh in, starting with a challenge to the birthright citizenship order in early May. Meanwhile, administration officials have railed against what they call "activist" judges, and some of Trump’s congressional allies have even floated impeachment for judges who get in the way—though so far, Congress hasn’t taken the bait.

Things got even more intense when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to rule out the arrest of federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, for obstructing federal law enforcement. When pressed, she deferred to the Justice Department, but warned that anyone breaking the law could face prosecution.

According to law professor Jonathan Turley, Trump’s all-gas-no-brakes approach is all about getting ahead of the 2026 midterms. He’s racing to cement his policies before Democrats have a chance to retake the House, which could spell more investigations and potential impeachment drama. As Turley puts it: if Trump wants his reforms to stick, he has to move fast and fight on every front—from immigration to the economy.

This first 100 days has been a whirlwind of executive action, courtroom slugfests, and constitutional debates. If this is just the start, buckle up—Washington’s legal circus is just getting warmed up.