By Katherine Tinsley
8:41am PST, Feb 11, 2025
Phillip, who hosts NewsNight With Abby Phillip, attempted to explain her stance on-air.
"When the court says Congress appropriated this money, you must unfreeze it while we litigate this, why can't Trump comply with that?" she asked.
"So you're saying that a judge should decide how and when money is spent," Jennings quickly replied.
As the conversation intensified, Phillips quickly cut her guest off to get her point across.
"Let me explain it a little bit more slowly," Phillip sternly said. "A judge is saying."
"You don't have to talk to me like that," Jennings defensively replied.
Jennings, who previously worked with
George W. Bush, didn't appreciate the Harvard graduate's tone.
"I have a position on this," the Republican clarified. "And you have an opinion. We can disagree."
"Yeah, but I'm saying listen to me because you're not listening, and you're making claims that are not connected to the facts," Phillip fired back.
"Congress appropriated a certain amount of money," Phillip continued. "We need to litigate this. While we litigate this, we're going to put a hold on the actions that you took that might be unconstitutional."
Legal commentator Elie Honig was also perplexed by Jennings' opinion.
"Let me just understand where you stand," Honig asked Jennings. "If a district court judge rules in a way that the president dislikes, should the president listen, or should the president defy?"
The Bush administration alum reminded the panelists of Trump's position.
"If a district court judge tries to usurp the authority of the chief executive of this country, he should absolutely defy it," Jennings stated.
"There's a difference between broad policy decisions and discrete disputes between parties," he added. "That's the difference. If I want a policy decided, I'll take it to the Supreme Court."
