During his first White House term, President Donald Trump appointed judges who were recommended by the Federalist Society.

Yet as the Washington Examiner reported, Trump cut ties with Federalist Society Executive Vice President Leonard Leo after some of those judges ruled against his tariffs. 

Trump regrets relying on Federalist Society for judicial guidance

"Where do these initial three Judges come from?" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last week. "How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of 'TRUMP?'"

The president then went on to lament that he relied upon guidance from Leo when it came to making judicial appointments.

"I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges," Trump recalled.

"I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real 'sleazebag' named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions," the president alleged.

Leo says he is "very grateful" for Trump's judicial appointments

"He openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court — I hope that is not so, and don’t believe it is," Trump asserted.

"In any event, Leo left The Federalist Society to do his own 'thing.' I am so disappointed in The Federalist Society because of the bad advice they gave me on numerous Judicial Nominations," he continued.

"This is something that cannot be forgotten! With all of that being said, I am very proud of many of our picks, but very disappointed in others. They always must do what’s right for the Country!" Trump went on to add.

The Examiner noted that Leo said in a statement of his own that he is "very grateful for President Trump transforming the Federal Courts, and it was a privilege being involved."

"There’s more work to be done, for sure, but the Federal Judiciary is better than it’s ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trump’s most important legacy," Leo added.

Law professor predicts a civil war among conservatives over judges

Josh Blackman is a professor at South Texas College of Law, and he suggested that Trump's break with Leo represents a larger ideological fight among conservatives.

"In the past, the most vigorous clashes over judges happened between the left and the right," Blackman wrote in an article for Volokh Conspiracy.

"I think the next round of wars will be on the right," the constitutional law professor predicted. "The left can sit back and enjoy the fireworks."