WASHINGTON: Trump policy disputes widened across several U.S. institutions this week as the Supreme Court blocked new mail-ballot restrictions, the House backed an Iran war-powers measure and the Federal Reserve raised rates.
The Supreme Court on Monday left in place a lower-court order preventing the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new mail-voting rules before the November 3 midterm elections.
President Donald Trump subsequently criticised three justices he appointed during his first term. Congress also challenged the administration’s Iran policy.
The House voted 220-204 on Tuesday for a war-powers resolution intended to halt military operations without congressional authorisation. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
Read: Trump Says Iran Wants Deal, War Could End Around Midterms
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve unanimously raised its federal funds target range by a quarter point to 3.75%-4%. The move came despite Trump’s repeated calls for lower borrowing costs. Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh said inflation remained elevated.
A separate legal dispute continued at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. A federal judge blocked another attempt to restore
Trump’s name to the building, while the center’s Trump-aligned board voted to close the main complex for renovations. The proposal would require congressional authorisation and could cost about $1.2 trillion, Reuters reported.
Trump’s proposed $5,000 payments to U.S. adults if Republicans retain Congress have also met scepticism from some Republican lawmakers.
Read: Trump Election Emergency Idea Raises Legal Concerns Ahead of Midterms
House Speaker Mike Johnson separately recessed the chamber early Wednesday, delaying Republican Rep. Thomas Massie’s effort to force consideration of articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Johnson called the impeachment effort a “stunt.”
