President Donald Trump's administration has asked an appeals court to put on hold a U.S. judge's decision forcing it to comply with his order barring it from freezing federal grants, loans and other financial assistance,

Trump may ultimately defy judges and the rule of law, but at first he’ll bid for Supreme Court recognition of vastly expanded presidential powers.

The whirlwind of unilateral action on his campaign promises has pushed the limits of presidential power – and prompted legal challenges from Democrats, unions and legal groups. So far the federal courts have been the only substantive roadblocks to Trump's agenda,