Donald Trump once called it a terrible, costly and dangerous
disgrace, and during his first term, the US Court of
Appeals for the 9th Circuit was indeed a formidable adversary
against many of his policies.
The nation's largest of the 12 regional appeals courts in
terms of judges and population.
It was here in this San Francisco courthouse that the
9th Circuit said that Trump's travel ban was illegal.
And similarly, it continued to block or delay multiple policies.
During Trump's first four years, the state of California alone
brought some 100 lawsuits against his administration.
Such legal challenges are an integral part of the checks
and balances for all presidents.
But in his final days of office, Joe Biden said
that Americans must now look to the courts and institutions
to uphold democracy.
We know the battle for the soul of America continues
in this moment of strength of our institutions and democracy.
The presidency, the Congress, the courts, a free independent press,
and that's our institutions.
Trump's second term is expected to be filled with litigation.
Some of the first challenges are likely to be in
regard to immigration, with courts expected to rule on Trump's
promise to end a birthright citizenship.
It is part of the US Constitution and it cannot
be implemented by executive order.
The courts and Congress would need to OK such a
change.
Promises of mass deportation are also likely to be challenged.
But legal experts say that the Trump administration has been
planning for such judicial fights, and the make up of
the US courts are different this time around.
Not only does the Supreme Court have a conservative majority,
now the infamous bastion of liberal jurisprudence, the 9th Circuit,
is changing.
Ten of its 29 judgeships were filled by Trump in
his first term.