# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "The war within" by Maleeha Lodhi, Published in Dawn on June 7th, 2025:* The article examines *President Donald Trump*'s domestic challenges, highlighting that his greatest opposition comes from the *US judiciary*, not the *Democratic Party*, which remains *leaderless* and *disorganized*. The most significant blow to *Trump*'s policies was a *federal court ruling* that declared many of his *global tariffs* illegal, though an *appeals court* provided temporary relief by pausing the decision. *Trump* had invoked the *International Emergency Economic Powers Act* on *April 2* to impose tariffs, but the *trade court* ruled he exceeded his *emergency powers*. His erratic tariff policy—pausing, lowering, then raising them—spooked *investors* and confused *trading partners*, forcing him to switch course when *markets tanked* and *US bonds* sold off heavily. Legal challenges have strengthened the negotiating position of countries in trade talks, particularly with key partners *China* and the *EU*, despite positive conversations between *Trump* and *Chinese President Xi Jinping*. According to estimates, courts have issued orders against *182* of *Trump*'s *executive actions*, with petitioners including *state governments*, *cities*, *labor unions*, and *civil liberties organizations*. The *Oregon*-led group of states successfully sued over tariff emergency powers. Legal challenges have targeted *Trump*'s *immigration policies*, *deportation measures*, *federal government downsizing*, *foreign aid freeze*, *agency dismantling*, *birthright citizenship*, and attacks on *universities* and *law firms*. *Elon Musk*'s *Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)* faced over *three dozen cases* challenging its authority, with *tens of thousands* of federal employees fired and thousands placed on forced leave. A *California court* halted the downsizing, with an *appeals court* upholding the decision, forcing the administration to pause cuts. *Musk*'s exit from government creates uncertainty for *DOGE*'s future. *Ivy League universities*, particularly *Harvard University*, faced pressure through *funding cuts*, *governance changes*, and restrictions on *foreign students*. *Harvard* successfully sued, with a *federal judge* blocking orders revoking foreign student enrollment rights. *Trump* then suspended *visas* for *six months* for *Harvard*'s foreign students. Courts provided relief to *foreign students* whose visas were cancelled due to *pro-Palestinian sympathies*, with a *California district judge* barring the administration from ending international students' legal status nationwide. *Trump* has responded harshly to judicial opposition, *vilifying judges* and subjecting them to public criticism. While courts have ruled in his favor in some cases, the administration faces *scores of lawsuits*, and *Trump* has already defied court rulings, including a *Supreme Court order* in a deportation case. The article concludes that *America*'s courts are acting as a crucial check on *Trump*'s *arbitrary actions* and *unbridled executive power*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Trump* faces his biggest challenge from the *US judiciary*, not the *Democratic Party*. A *federal court* declared his *global tariffs* illegal, though an *appeals court* paused the ruling. His erratic tariff policies spooked *markets* and confused *trading partners*. Courts have challenged *182* of his *executive actions*, including *immigration policies*, *federal downsizing* via *Elon Musk*'s *DOGE*, and attacks on *universities* like *Harvard*. Legal battles involve *foreign student visas* and *pro-Palestinian* sympathies. *Trump* has *vilified judges* and defied some rulings, but *America*'s courts continue checking his *executive overreach*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Respect Judicial Independence* *Trump* should accept court rulings and avoid *vilifying judges* to maintain *constitutional balance*. ## *2. Follow Constitutional Processes* Seek *congressional approval* for *emergency powers* instead of unilateral *executive actions*. ## *3. Stabilize Trade Policy* Develop consistent *tariff strategies* to avoid *market volatility* and restore *investor confidence*. ## *4. Protect Academic Freedom* End attacks on *universities* and respect their autonomy over *governance* and *foreign students*. ## *5. Reform Immigration Approach* Implement *immigration policies* through proper legal channels rather than arbitrary *deportations*. ## *6. Transparent Government Restructuring* Conduct *federal downsizing* through legal procedures with proper *congressional oversight*. ## *7. Restore International Relations* Rebuild trust with *trading partners* through predictable and lawful trade policies. ## *8. Comply with Court Orders* Honor all *judicial decisions*, including *Supreme Court* rulings, to uphold *rule of law*. ## *9. Protect Civil Liberties* Safeguard rights of *foreign students* and prevent *visa cancellations* based on political views. ## *10. Strengthen Checks and Balances* Allow *judiciary* and *legislature* to perform oversight functions without executive interference. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Federal court* declared *Trump*'s *global tariffs* illegal in recent ruling. - *Trump* invoked *International Emergency Economic Powers Act* on *April 2*. - Courts issued orders against *182* of *Trump*'s *executive actions*. - *Oregon*-led states sued administration over *emergency tariff powers*. - *DOGE* faced over *three dozen cases* challenging its authority. - *Tens of thousands* of federal employees were fired under downsizing plan. - *Trump* suspended *visas* for *six months* for *Harvard*'s foreign students. - *Trump* has defied court rulings including a *Supreme Court order* in deportation case. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Trump*'s tariffs affected *$300 billion* worth of Chinese goods (*US Trade Representative*, 2024). - *Federal workforce* employs approximately *2.2 million* civilians (*OPM*, 2024). - *Harvard University* enrolls over *23,000* international students (*Institute of International Education*, 2024). - *US courts* handle approximately *400,000* federal cases annually (*Administrative Office*, 2024). - *Emergency powers* have been invoked *60+ times* since *1976* (*Congressional Research Service*, 2024). - *Foreign students* contribute *$45 billion* annually to US economy (*NAFSA*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What has been Trump's greatest challenge at home according to the article?* A. Democratic Party opposition *B. US judiciary* C. Republican Party divisions D. Media criticism ### 2. *Which act did Trump invoke to impose tariffs on April 2?* A. Trade Expansion Act *B. International Emergency Economic Powers Act* C. National Defense Authorization Act D. Import Relief Act ### 3. *How many of Trump's executive actions faced court orders?* A. 150 *B. 182* C. 200 D. 165 ### 4. *Which state led the group that sued over tariff emergency powers?* A. California *B. Oregon* C. New York D. Massachusetts ### 5. *What does DOGE stand for in the article?* A. Department of Government Operations *B. Department of Government Efficiency* C. Department of Government Oversight D. Department of Government Excellence # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Judiciary* (عدلیہ) – The judicial branch of government 2. *Disarray* (بکھراؤ) – State of confusion or disorder 3. *Reprieve* (مہلت) – Temporary relief or postponement 4. *Tariffs* (محصولات) – Taxes on imported goods 5. *Spooked* (خوفزدہ کرنا) – Frightened or alarmed 6. *Usurp* (ہتھیانا) – Take someone's power illegally 7. *Adverse* (منفی) – Harmful or unfavorable 8. *Salutary* (مفید) – Beneficial or promoting health 9. *Jolt* (جھٹکا) – Sudden shock or surprise 10. *Whimsical* (من موجی) – Unpredictable or capricious 11. *Injunctions* (حکم امتناع) – Court orders prohibiting action 12. *Petitioners* (درخواست گزار) – Those who file legal petitions 13. *Deportation* (جلاوطنی) – Expulsion from a country 14. *Downsizing* (تخفیف) – Reducing size or workforce 15. *Estranged* (علیحدہ) – No longer close or friendly 16. *Arbitrary* (خودسرانہ) – Based on personal whim, not reason 17. *Vilified* (بدنام کرنا) – Criticized harshly or abusively 18. *Circumvent* (گول کرنا) – Find a way around obstacles 19. *Embroiled* (الجھا ہوا) – Involved in conflict or difficulty 20. *Unbridled* (بے لگام) – Uncontrolled or unrestricted 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *The war within* *Maleeha Lodhi* *6–8 minutes* PRESIDENT Donald Trump's greatest challenge at home has come from the country's judiciary, not the opposition Democratic Party that remains leaderless and in disarray. The biggest blow to the US president's trade policy was the ruling delivered by a federal court last month that declared illegal many tariffs he had imposed on countries across the world. Although the administration secured a temporary reprieve from an appeals court that paused the ruling, the legal battle is far from over. The appeal process has to play out and the case may even go to the US Supreme Court. Global financial markets welcomed the court order against tariffs but it leaves Trump's trade plan hanging in the balance. Trump reacted furiously to the court of international trade's decision calling it "wrong", "political" and the "harshest financial ruling" ever. His officials went further, accusing judges of "judicial overreach" and an abuse of power to "usurp the authority of the president". In fact, it was Trump who exceeded his emergency powers to levy global tariffs, according to the trade court. Trump had invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on April 2. Due to the adverse market reaction to that decision, he went back and forth on tariffs, pausing them, lowering some and then raising others. This spooked investors and sowed confusion among America's trading partners. Trump switched course when markets tanked and there was a heavy sell-off in US bonds. After the markets, it was the turn of the courts to try to restrain Trump. As the Financial Times wrote in a recent editorial, America's courts are playing a salutary role by "trying to rein in what Trump regards as his limitless powers as president". Legal problems have cast a shadow over Trump's trade agenda. They may impact trade talks underway with many countries, who might see their negotiating hand strengthened by challenges Trump's policies face from the courts. Crucial negotiations lie ahead with America's two key trading partners, China and the EU. They can be affected by legal issues at home, even though Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have recently had a positive phone conversation on trade issues. America's courts are trying to restrain Trump's unbridled use of executive power. While the tariff ruling is arguably the biggest judicial jolt to Trump's plans, he has encountered legal setbacks on other fronts too. According to one estimate, there have been court orders against 182 of Trump's executive actions. Some injunctions have been of a temporary nature, but they have still acted as a check on Trump's whimsical conduct. The petitioners have mostly included state governments, cities, labour unions, civil liberties and non-profit organisations. In the tariff case, it was a group of states led by Oregon that sued the administration over its use of emergency powers without congressional action. Cases against the administration have involved Trump's immigration and deportation policies, his downsizing of the federal government that entailed sweeping layoffs of the workforce, freeze on foreign aid, dismantling of US agencies, birthright citizenship rights, and assaults on universities and law firms. Among the most controversial of Trump's actions to be legally challenged are the drastic cuts in the size of the federal government by large-scale firing of civil servants, ceasing funding and closing down agencies. The task of executing this plan was given to Trump's billionaire (now estranged) friend, Elon Musk, through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which saw over three dozen cases challenging its authority and even more lawsuits contesting funding cuts and sacking of workers. Tens of thousands of federal employees were fired while thousands were placed on forced leave or left their jobs under resignation programmes. A California court ruling ordered a halt to the downsizing, questioning the legality of the move. Subsequently, in another blow for Trump, an appeals court upheld that decision, forcing the administration to maintain the pause on more cuts and firings. Musk's exit from the government throws DOGE's future into uncertainty, even though Trump has vowed its work will carry on. Ivy League universities have also come under mounting pressure from Trump's efforts to control these institutions and suppress dissent. The administration's battle with Harvard University has seen funding withheld, and attempts to change its governance structure and bar its ability to host foreign students. Harvard resisted and asserted its rights in the face of government intimidation by suing the federal government. Its efforts succeeded when a federal judge blocked the order revoking its right to enrol foreign students. Trump then suspended visas for six months for foreign students enrolled for study at Harvard. But this effort to circumvent the court's ruling will only intensify the legal battle. Courts have issued important rulings and provided temporary relief in some cases to foreign students whose visas were cancelled or threatened owing to their pro-Palestinian sympathies. The way foreign students have been arrested — some from the streets — handcuffed and sent to detention centres, with their visas abruptly revoked, sparked an outcry in America's academic community. A California district judge has now barred the administration from ending the legal status of international students across the country. The ruling prevents the authorities from arresting, imprisoning or moving students elsewhere based on their legal status until their case is resolved. Trump's response to judicial opposition to his policies has predictably been harsh. He and his officials have vilified judges and subjected some to strong public criticism. Of course, in some notable and consequential cases, courts have also ruled in his favour. But the administration is embroiled in scores of lawsuits and it remains unclear whether Trump will comply with court orders or try to circumvent them. He has already defied court rulings, especially in immigration issues, including a supreme court order in a deportation case. How the growing clash between the executive and judiciary plays out is hard to predict, but for now America's courts are standing up to Trump's arbitrary actions, striking them down in key cases and acting as a check on the unbridled use of executive power. The writer is a former ambassador to the US, UK and UN. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2025