Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court rejected states' lawsuit over mass federal firings — A federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit by a coalition of 19 states and DC, finding that they had no legal standing to sue the Trump administration over its mass firings of thousands of federal probationary employees. The ruling prevented judicial review of the terminations.

Supporting reports

• Federal court ruling on CDC probationary employee terminations — In September 2025, a federal judge ruled that the CDC's February terminations of probationary employees "went too far," finding them illegal. Some employees were reinstated and placed on administrative leave. However, the same judge's ruling, which specifically prohibited reorganization or termination of affected employees, was violated when those same employees received RIF notices in October.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed Executive Order 14343 excluding additional federal agencies from labor-management relations protections. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14343 on August 28, 2025, further amending Executive Order 12171 to exclude additional federal agencies and subdivisions from Chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute). The order determines that the Bureau of Reclamation hydropower units, International Trade Administration, Patent and Trademark Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration subdivisions (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service and National Weather Service), National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and United States Agency for Global Media have primary national security functions and cannot be subject to federal labor-management relations requirements. The order also extended the deadline for Defense and Veterans Affairs exclusion orders issued under Executive Order 14251.
• Trump issues executive order expanding exclusions from federal labor-management relations protections — President Trump issued Executive Order "Further Exclusions From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program" on August 28, 2025, amending Executive Order 12171 to exclude additional federal agencies and subdivisions from Chapter 71 labor protections. The order designates units in the Bureau of Reclamation (hydropower facilities), the International Trade Administration, Patent and Trademark Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration subdivisions, NASA, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media as having primary national security functions, thereby removing collective bargaining rights protections. The order also extends a deadline for Defense and Veterans Affairs secretaries to issue related orders by 15 days.
• Trump signed executive order excluding additional federal agencies from labor-management relations protections — President Trump signed an executive order on August 28, 2025, further amending Executive Order 12171 to exclude additional federal agencies and subdivisions from Chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code (the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute). The order designates units in the Bureau of Reclamation managing hydropower facilities, subdivisions of the Department of Commerce (International Trade Administration, Patent and Trademark Office, and specified NOAA divisions), NASA, and the United States Agency for Global Media as having primary national security functions and therefore exempt from federal labor-management relations requirements. The order also extends a deadline for Defense and Veterans Affairs orders under a prior March 2025 exclusion order.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order exempting national security agencies from federal collective bargaining — The White House published a fact sheet on August 28, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that exempts six federal agencies with national security missions from collective bargaining requirements under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The agencies named are: Bureau of Reclamation (hydropower facilities), NASA, NOAA (National Weather Service and NESDIS), Patent and Trademark Office, and U.S. Agency for Global Media. The fact sheet states the order aims to enable these agencies to implement policies swiftly without delays caused by union bargaining procedures.

Supporting reports

• Presidential memorandum directing Attorney General to investigate federal grant funds allegedly used for illegal lobbying and partisan political activity — On August 28, 2025, the President issued a memorandum directing the Attorney General, in consultation with executive department and agency heads, to investigate whether federal grant funds are being used to illegally support lobbying activities in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 1352 and other federal law. The Attorney General is instructed to take appropriate enforcement action and report progress within 180 days. The memorandum characterizes such spending as wasteful, abusive, and potentially fraudulent use of taxpayer money.
• White House issues fact sheet on presidential memorandum directing investigation of federal grant funds allegedly diverted to political lobbying — The White House published a fact sheet on August 28, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being illegally used to support lobbying activities and to report findings within 180 days. The fact sheet characterizes specific NIH and NSF grants as having "highly political overtones" and asserts that taxpayer funds must not be diverted to political or lobbying activity.
• White House issues memorandum directing Attorney General to investigate federal grant funds for illegal lobbying and partisan political activity — The White House issued a presidential memorandum on August 28, 2025, directing the Attorney General to investigate whether federal grant funds are being used to support illegal lobbying activities or partisan political causes in violation of federal law (31 U.S.C. 1352). The memorandum states that "taxpayer funds are being spent on grants with highly political overtones" and characterizes such use as "wasteful, abusive, and potentially fraudulent." The Attorney General is directed to consult with executive departments and agencies and report progress within 180 days.

Supporting reports

• District of Columbia v. Trump, complaint filed challenging federal takeover of DC Police Department — On August 15, 2025, the District of Columbia filed a complaint in federal court challenging Executive Order 14333, issued by President Trump on August 11, which placed the DC Police Department under direct federal control. The District alleges the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Separation of Powers, the Take Care Clause, and the DC Home Rule Act by exceeding narrow statutory authority without identifying exigent circumstances. The District filed a concurrent motion for a temporary restraining order and seeks an injunction to halt implementation of the federal takeover.
• DC Attorney General Sues Trump Administration Over Police Takeover — DC's attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block its takeover of the local police department, arguing that it infringes on the District's right to self-governance and endangers public safety.
• DC Attorney General files lawsuit challenging federal police takeover — DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Friday morning against the Trump administration's takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, arguing the administration exceeded its legal authority under the Home Rule Act. Schwalb contended that control of the police must remain in district hands and that the federal government was conducting a "hostile takeover" of law enforcement in the nation's capital.

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court lifts block on Trump administration's mass firings at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — A federal appeals court ruled in a split 2-1 decision that a lower court lacked jurisdiction to block the Trump administration's attempt to fire approximately 1,500 of the CFPB's 1,700 employees. Trump appointees Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao voted in favor of the administration, while Obama appointee Cornelia Pillard dissented. The ruling does not take immediate effect, allowing workers and consumer groups to petition for full circuit court review. The CFPB has returned over $21 billion to consumers since its founding.

Supporting reports

• Trump removes IRS commissioner Billy Long and appoints Scott Bessent as acting commissioner — Donald Trump removed Billy Long as IRS commissioner after less than two months in the role (sworn in June 2025). Long's term was meant to run through November 2027. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assumed the position of acting IRS commissioner. Long is reportedly being nominated for the Iceland ambassador post. The removal follows implementation of Trump tariffs and tax cuts, as well as job cuts from the "department of government efficiency."
• Trump fired IRS Commissioner Billy Long — President Trump dismissed IRS Commissioner Billy Long, a former Republican congressman and Trump ally, approximately two months after his Senate confirmation. Long will be nominated as Ambassador to Iceland. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting commissioner pending a permanent replacement. Long had limited tax-policy background and previously supported legislation calling for the IRS's abolition.

Supporting reports

• FBI forces out special agent Walter Giardina who worked on Trump and Navarro cases — The FBI, under director Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino, forced out special agent Walter Giardina, who had worked on cases involving Donald Trump and Peter Navarro, a top trade adviser to the president who was convicted of contempt of Congress. The ouster was part of a broader pattern of removals of senior FBI officials and agents under Patel's leadership.
• FBI pressures agent Michael Feinberg to resign or accept demotion over friendship with Peter Strzok — Special agent Michael Feinberg was told to resign or accept a demotion amid scrutiny from FBI leadership regarding his friendship with Peter Strzok, a lead agent on the FBI's Trump-Russia investigation who was fired by the Justice Department in 2018 after exchanging negative text messages about Trump with FBI lawyer Lisa Page.
• FBI subjects agents to polygraph exams under Patel leadership — Under FBI director Kash Patel and deputy Dan Bongino, numerous senior FBI officials and agents have been subjected to polygraph exams as part of aggressive personnel actions. Former officials report these moves have roiled the workforce and contributed to widespread angst among agents. Multiple senior agents in charge of field offices have been told to retire, resign, or accept reassignment.
• FBI DC field office head Steve Jensen terminated without stated cause — Steve Jensen, head of the FBI's Washington Field Office, announced in a farewell letter that his employment with the FBI will be terminated effective the next day. Jensen stated he received no explanation for the termination and pledged to meet the challenge with professionalism, integrity, and dignity. He urged colleagues to continue protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.
• FBI forced out acting director Brian Driscoll and agent Walter Giardina — The New York Times reported that the FBI is forcing out at least two agents under Kash Patel's leadership, including Brian Driscoll, the former acting head of the bureau, and Walter Giardina, who was involved in Trump investigations. Driscoll sent a message to colleagues stating he was informed his employment would end the next day with no cause articulated. Driscoll had previously refused to carry out the Trump administration's plans for mass firing of January 6 agents.
• Trump administration ousts FBI official Brian Driscoll for resisting demands to name January 6 investigators — The Trump administration forced out Brian Driscoll, a senior FBI official who briefly served as acting director, after he resisted demands from the Justice Department for names of agents who investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. Driscoll and then-deputy director Rob Kissane had resisted the request, leading Justice Department official Emil Bove to accuse them of "insubordination." The FBI ultimately provided employee numbers rather than names. Driscoll's final day was Friday, August 8, 2025.

Supporting reports

• Corey Lewandowski becomes permanent DHS advisor with significant authority — Corey Lewandowski has become a permanent advisor to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, officially designated as a special government employee with limited term of service. DHS documents refer to him as the chief advisor to the secretary. Lewandowski has overseen employee dismissals, demanded administrative leave placements, called agency heads to "keep them in line," and approved billion-dollar FEMA grants. He frequently appears alongside Noem in official capacity, regularly bypasses Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar, and effectively acts as the department's second-in-command.

Supporting reports

• FEMA probationary employees reassigned to ICE — Some probationary employees at FEMA were informed via email that they are being immediately reassigned to work with ICE, and have seven days to accept the reassignment or be fired from the agency.
• FEMA probationary employees ordered to report to ICE or lose jobs — Probationary employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency have been ordered to report to ICE within seven days or lose their jobs. This reassignment of FEMA staff to immigration enforcement represents a significant redirection of disaster-relief personnel to immigration detention operations.

Supporting reports

• Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer declined to oppose Trump's threat to fire BLS commissioner — Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whose department oversees the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was asked whether she supported Trump's threat to fire the BLS commissioner. She responded: "It is my job to support the president in this issue," declining to defend the independence of the statistical agency under her purview.

Supporting reports

• NSA top lawyer fired after Daily Wire story about Democratic staff work — The New York Times reported that the top lawyer for the National Security Agency was fired last week after the right-wing outlet the Daily Wire published a story about her past work for the Senate Intelligence Committee's Democratic staff, and Laura Loomer amplified a social media post saying "Biden burrowed a far-left Democrat activist into the NSA before he left office."

Supporting reports

• FDA vaccine official resigned after public campaign by Laura Loomer — The top vaccine and gene therapy official at the Food and Drug Administration resigned from his position after a public campaign opposing him, which was also led by Loomer. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said the official "did not want to be a distraction" to the agency's work. Politico later reported that Trump overruled Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and ordered the official's removal himself.

Supporting reports

• Trump fires head of Bureau of Labor Statistics — President Trump dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accusing her of manipulating employment numbers to portray the economy negatively. This action follows the release of poor employment figures, which Trump claims were intentionally skewed. The firing raises concerns about the independence of statistical agencies and the potential politicization of economic data reporting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is responsible for collecting and analyzing essential economic data, including employment statistics, which are crucial for policy-making and public understanding of economic conditions.
• Trump administration fires Bureau of Labor Statistics chief after unfavorable jobs report — Trump fired the chief of the Bureau of Labor Statistics hours after the agency reported weak job numbers for the final three months of his administration. White House economic advisors, including Kevin Hassett, claimed downward revisions in employment data constituted evidence of incompetence or rigging, despite economists and former BLS officials explaining that revisions are standard statistical practice and that hundreds of career professionals, not political appointees, construct the numbers. Lawrence Summers stated that firing a government agency head for disliking reported data is characteristic of authoritarian, not democratic, governance.
• Trump fires head of Bureau of Labor Statistics on day of poor economic data — On the same day that the Bureau of Labor Statistics released numbers showing a dramatic slowdown in the economy, Trump fired the head of the bureau. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook subsequently expressed concern about the jobs numbers, suggesting the revisions "are somewhat typical of turning points" in the economy. The action appears to have alarmed businesspeople previously willing to support Trump, awakening them to the reality that his policies are pulling down the economy.
• Trump fires head of Bureau of Labor Statistics amid economic slowdown — On the same day that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a significant slowdown in the economy, President Trump fired its head. This action has raised concerns among business leaders about the administration's economic management and its implications for future economic stability.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — Jenner & Block v. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00916 — The Department of Justice appealed Judge Bates' May 23 summary judgment to the D.C. Circuit.
• Appeal filed — Protect Democracy Project v. OMB (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01111 — Defendants appealed the court's grant of summary judgement to the D.C. Circuit.
• Case update — American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10685 — The bench trial concluded.
• Case update — National Academy of Education v. Department of Education (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01266 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which added multiple APA claims to the action and removed the ultra vires and separation of powers doctrine claims.
• Motion granted — Slaughter and Bedoya v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00909 — The D.C. Circuit unanimously granted an administrative stay of Judge Alikhan's ruling that had ordered the reinstatement of former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter . The court set a briefing schedule with filings due before July 29.
• Motion granted — VERA Institute of Justice v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01643 — Judge Mehta granted in part Plaintiffs' emergency motion for an injunction pending appeal of its order denying their preliminary-injunction motion and dismissing the case. Although the court declined to reinstate Plaintiffs' grants pending appeal, it found a narrower injunction appropriate-“one that prevents the re-obligation of the five named Plaintiffs' cancelled grant funding … [and] prohibits Defendants from re-obligating or otherwise diminishing the sums awarded but terminated under Plaintiffs' grant agreements.”
• Motion to dismiss decided — American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-03698 — Defendants filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Gateways v. U.S. Department for Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01370 — Judge Ali granted a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from terminating the NQRP. The court found that the termination of the program is likely arbitrary and capricious under the APA, and the court is empowered to “set aside” such agency action. The court also denied defendants' motion to dismiss as to Count I of the complaint and held it in abeyance as to Counts II and III.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — National Endowment for Democracy v. United States (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00648 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction and supporting memorandum in which they request that the court enter an order that would stop Defendants and those they supervise from withholding or otherwise interfering with NED's congressionally mandated funding.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Planned Parenthood Federation of America v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. et al (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11913 — Judge Talwani granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the administration from enforcing Section 71113 of the “ One Big Beautiful Act ” against the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and other Planned Parenthood Federation of America Members. The injunction applies only to affiliates that are either barred from providing abortions due to state law or that received less than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023. The court found that the statute likely violates the First Amendment right of association by defunding affiliates based solely on their relationship to abortion providers-even when they do not themselves provide abortions or share funds. The court has not yet ruled on whether to extend relief to additional Planned Parenthood members.
• Summary judgment ruling — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01051 — Judge Sullivan granted a summary judgment in part for the plaintiffs, holding that the administration's deletion of the Public Apportionments Database violates public disclosure requirements. The court noted “there is nothing unconstitutional about Congress requiring the Executive Branch to inform the public of how it is apportioning the public's money.”
• Summary judgment ruling — Protect Democracy Project v. OMB (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01111 — Judge Emmet Sullivan granted a summary judgment in part for the plaintiffs on the Administrative Procedure Act claim, holding that the administration's deletion of the Public Apportionments Database violated public disclosure requirements. The court further ordered that the Defendants must restore the Public Apportionments Database, make available the apportionment information required by the 2022 and 2023 Acts, and are permanently enjoined from removing the database without statutory authorization. The court noted “there is nothing unconstitutional about Congress requiring the Executive Branch to inform the public of how it is apportioning the public's money.”
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Assistance and Education Program, et al, v. Robert F. Kenned — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and proposed order seeking emergency relief for new claims arising from the Immigrant Exclusion Directive issued on July 14, 2025.
• Appeal filed — Harper v. Bessent (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01294 — Judge Ali granted a summary judgment in favor of Plaintiffs, ruling that the administration's firing of two Board members of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) was unlawful. The court held that the statutory basis and structure of NCUA limits the president's power to fire board members at will, and such restriction is lawful under the Separation of Powers since the “NCUA Board fits comfortably within the traditional model of a multimember expert agency that does not wield substantial executive power.” The administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit and filed a motion to stay the judgment pending appeal (Case No. 25-5268 ).
• Appeal filed — Planned Parenthood Federation of America v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. et al (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11913 — Following Judge Talwani's preliminary injunction , which prohibited the enforcement of Section 71113 of the “ One Big Beautiful Bill Act ” against certain members of Planned Parenthood Association, the administration appealed the decision to the First Circuit.
• Case update — American Oversight v. U.S. Department Of Government Efficiency (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01251 — Plaintiff amended its complaint to add additional APA claims and enumerate which of Defendants' actions applied to each of the claims.
• Case update — National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association v. Kennedy (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01265 — Plaintiff filed a motion for an order directing Defendants to hold the disputed funds pending a resolution on the merits.
• Case update — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — The case was stayed.
• Case update — Smith v. Trump (D. Me.) 1:25-cv-00158 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which noted that the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had set forth regulations promulgating the EO. The amended complaint added a claim under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) alleging the regulations are not in accordance with law and requesting that the court declare the regulations to be unlawful.
• Motion denied — The Associated Press v. Budowich (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00532 — The D.C. Circuit denied Plaintiffs' motion for en banc reconsideration, holding that the standard for en banc review was not met because the stay was a non-precedential order that did not resolve the appeal's merits.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Valuta Corporation, Inc. v. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (W.D. Tex.) 3:25-cv-00191 — Judge Schydlower granted Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, temporarily enjoining Defendants from “enforcing, implementing, and otherwise giving effect to the Border GTO as to the named Plaintiffs.”
• Appeal filed — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01051 — Following Judge Sullivan's summary judgment in part, which rules the administration's deletion of the Public Apportionments Database violates public disclosure requirements, the administration appealed to the D.C. Circuit and filed a motion to stay the judgment pending appeal.
• Case update — American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11916 — Plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint adding two additional Plaintiffs - Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MCAAP) and Jane Doe 2 - and provided amended and additional factual allegations and legal background.
• Certiorari petition filed — Boyle v. Trump (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-01628 — In a 6-3 opinion, the Supreme Court granted the administration's application to stay a Judge Maddox's June 13 summary judgment and injunction pending the government's Fourth Circuit appeal and any petition for a writ of certiorari, allowing the administration to remove three Commissioners from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The court noted that the case is similar to Trump v. Wilcox , which also involves the removal of members in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Justice Kavanaugh concurred. Justice Kagan, alongside Justices Sotomayor and Jackson, dissented, writing “[o]nce again, this Court uses its emergency docket to destroy the independence of an independent agency, as established by Congress.”
• Stay motion decided — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01051 — Judge Sullivan denied the administration's motion to stay the court's summary judgment , which found the administration's deletion of the Public Apportionments Database violates public disclosure requirements. Judge Sullivan noted the administration's conduct “unequivocally violates federal law.” He further wrote “[t]he Court will not be complicit in further delaying Plaintiff and the public of information they are entitled to know as a matter of federal law!!” On that same day, the D.C. Circuit administratively stayed Judge Sullivan's July 21 summary judgment order.
• Stay motion decided — Protect Democracy Project v. OMB (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01111 — Judge Sullivan denied Defendants' motion to stay pending appeal, however the D.C. Circuit stayed Judge Sullivan's orders from July 21 pending their review of the appeal on that same day.
• Stay pending appeal decided — CASA, Inc. v. Noem (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-01484 — Following the Fourth Circuit's July 21 refusal to stay pending appeal the termination of TPS for Afghanistan and Cameroon , Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their appeal. The case now continues before Judge Chuang.
• Summary judgment ruling — State of Illinois v. Federal Emergency Management Agency (D.R.I.) 1:25-cv-00206 — Defendants moved for summary judgment as well.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Pallek v. Rollins (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01650 — Judge Jia M. Cobb denied Plaintiffs' motion for an emergency temporary restraining order.
• Case update — State of Maryland v. Corporation for National and Community Service (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-01363 — The Plaintiff States filed an amended complaint . The updates included specifying which alleged APA violations applied to the AmeriCorps Defendants and OMB Defendants as well as the addition of an allegation against all Defendants requesting mandamus relief.
• Case update — State of New Jersey v. Bondi (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-01807 — All Plaintiffs and Defendants stipulated the dismissal of the non-federal defendants-specifically Kevin Maxwell; Lawrence DeMonico; Rare Breed Triggers, LLC; Rare Breed Firearms, LLC; National Association for Gun Rights, Inc.; Texas Gun Rights, Inc.; Patrick Carey; James Wheeler; and Travis Speegle.
• Complaint filed — Gordon v. Executive Office of the President — Three Department of Justice employees filed suit in D.D.C. challenging their terminations by Attorney General Pamela Bondi in June and July 2025. The plaintiffs, who had been involved in high-profile prosecutions including January 6th cases, allege the firings were politically motivated and retaliatory, violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Fifth Amendment's due process clause, and the Civil Service Reform Act. They seek reinstatement, backpay, and a name-clearing hearing.
• Dismissal entered — Corporation for Public Broadcasting v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01305 — Plaintiff Board member Laura Ross voluntarily dismissed her claims, which was approved by the district court the next day. All other Plaintiffs are otherwise proceeding with their claims.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — National Job Corps Association v. Department of Labor (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-04641 — Judge Carter issued an amended preliminary injunction order which narrowed the scope of applicability of the order to the 31 centers operated by the Operator Plaintiffs and the 5 additional centers at which Plaintiff Transportation Communications Union/IAM provides training services following the Supreme Court's June 27 ruling in Trump v. Casa . The court enjoined Defendants "from enforcing, implementing, maintaining or giving effect to the closure of the private Job Corps centers, including the stop work orders and termination and non-renewal notices delivered to Job Corps center operators starting May 29, 2025, from issuing, enforcing, implementing, maintaining or giving effect to any shutdown tasks, job terminations, or student removals; and from taking any further action to close any Job Corps Centers." Sept.18, 2025: Plaintiffs submitted an amended complaint . In addition to adding more plaintiffs and providing further detail as to the factual allegations, the complaint clarified the National Job Corps Association (“NCJA”) standing to bring suit on behalf of their harmed members. Additionally, the amended complaint supplements claims with more specific violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) and the Workplace Innovation and Opportunity Act.
• Stay motion decided — Harper v. Bessent (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01294 — Judge Ali denied the administration's motion to stay the court's summary judgment , which reinstated two Board members of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The court distinguished itself from recent Supreme Court opinions that blocked the courts' reinstatements in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, noting that NCUA does not exercise the same “considerable executive power” in those cases.
• Stay motion decided — Slaughter and Bedoya v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00909 — Judge Alikhan denied the administration's motion to stay her earlier summary judgment , which reinstated former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter . The court again reaffirmed that Supreme Court precedent limits the president's authority to remove FTC Commissioners. The court distinguished this case from recent Supreme Court opinions that stayed reinstatements at other agencies, noting those decisions did not mention FTC.
• Case update — Melgar-Salmeron v. Bondi (2d Cir.) 23-7792 — The Second Circuit ordered the government, in addition to its weekly status updates, to file by Aug. 1 a declaration from someone with personal knowledge explaining the basis for its assertion that Petitioner has been charged with illicit association and homicide, is housed at the Tecoluca maximum-security prison, and is awaiting trial, along with any corroborating documentation (with leave to seek sealing as needed). The court also noted it had held the petition in abeyance in early 2024 and, absent objection by Aug. 1, intends to lift that hold in due course.
• Case update — Quintero Chacon v. Dickerson (a.k.a. Q.C.E. v. Stewart Detention Facility) (M.D. Ga.) 4:25-cv-00050 — Petitioner Quintero filed a voluntary dismissal, based on the fact that he was removed to Venezuela on July 18, 2025, pursuant to an exchange between the United States and Venezuelan governments. The case has been closed.
• Complaint filed — State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Washington State filed a federal complaint on July 25, 2025, challenging the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency's termination of the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), a congressionally established grant program. The administration zeroed out and revoked Washington's $4 million SSP grant in spring 2025, disrupting shelter, food, medical care, and hygiene services for thousands of newly arrived migrants. Washington names DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, FEMA, and Senior Official David Richardson as defendants, alleging violations of the Separation of Powers, the Spending Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act, and seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to restore funding and prevent future executive interference with the grants.
• Notice of appeal filed — Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr v. Executive Office of the President (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00917 — The Trump Administration filed a notice of appeal to the D.C. Circuit, challenging Judge Leon's summary judgment on May 27, which found Executive Order 14250 , targeting WilmerHale, was unlawful and void.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Cabrera v. Department of Labor (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01909 — Judge Dabney L. Friedrich issued an order and opinion granting Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion and stayed DOL's directive to effectuate the closure of all privately-operated Jobs Corps centers pending the resolution of this litigation.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Personal Services Contractor Association v. Trump et al (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00469 — The court found that it likely lacks jurisdiction over the case's claims and consequently denied Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Porwancher v. National Endowment for the Humanities (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01180 — Judge Carl J. Nichols granted Porwancher's June 2, 2025 motion for a preliminary injunction preventing the NEH from treating the grant as terminated and enjoining future actions regarding the grant unless they comply with procedural requirements under applicable regulations.
• Summary judgment ruling — Corporation for Public Broadcasting v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01305 — The remaining Plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment requesting that the district court enter judgment declaring Trump's attempt to terminate CPB's Board members as unlawful.
• Summary judgment ruling — Harper v. Bessent (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01294 — The D.C. Circuit granted an administrative stay of the district court's July 22 summary judgment order, pending further order of the Court of Appeals.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Trump v. Boyle — On July 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Trump v. Boyle. This decision temporarily halts the enforcement of a lower court's order that had reinstated three commissioners of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission who were terminated by the Trump administration. The stay was granted in a 6-3 decision, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. The stay allows the Trump administration to maintain the commissioners' termination while the case proceeds through the courts.

Supporting reports

• EPA eliminates research and development office and begins mass layoffs — The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday the elimination of its Office of Research and Development (ORD) and a reduction of more than 3,700 employees (nearly 23% of total staff), bringing EPA staffing from January levels to 12,448. The ORD, which has provided scientific underpinnings for EPA's environmental and health protection mission, will be replaced by a new office of applied science. The agency projects savings of nearly $750 million. Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers warned the cuts will devastate public health and eliminate hundreds of scientist positions.

Supporting reports

• White House issues fact sheet on new "Schedule G" federal employee classification — The White House issued a fact sheet on July 17, 2025, describing a new executive order signed by President Trump creating "Schedule G," a non-career federal employee classification. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI to establish positions for employees engaged in policy-making or policy-advocating work. Schedule G employees are designated as non-career, expected to leave office when the appointing President departs. The fact sheet states the classification aims to enhance government efficiency, accountability, and implementation of Administration policy, and claims it fills a gap in existing federal hiring categories.
• White House signed Executive Order 14317 creating Schedule G in the excepted service for federal employment — President Trump signed Executive Order 14317 on July 17, 2025, establishing Schedule G within the excepted service to classify noncareer federal positions of a "policy-making or policy-advocating character" as exempt from competitive civil service requirements. The order amends 5 CFR 6.2 and 6.4 to add Schedule G alongside existing excepted service schedules (A, B, C, D, E, Policy/Career). The order states that Schedule G positions are "normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition" and directs the Office of Personnel Management to adopt implementing regulations. It specifies that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consider whether appointees would be "suitable exponents of the President's policies" but shall not consider political affiliation or activity.
• Trump signs Executive Order 14317 establishing Schedule G in excepted civil service for policy-making and policy-advocating positions. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14317 on July 17, 2025, creating Schedule G within the excepted service of the federal civil service. Schedule G permits noncareer appointments to positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to change upon Presidential transition. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI and 5 CFR 6.2 and 6.4 to establish this new schedule. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is directed to consider appointees' suitability as exponents of the President's policies while disregarding political affiliation or activity. The Director of OPM shall adopt implementing regulations.
• Trump issued executive order creating Schedule G in the excepted service for noncareer policy-making and policy-advocating positions — President Trump signed an executive order on July 17, 2025, establishing Schedule G within the federal excepted service. This new schedule permits noncareer appointments to positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to change upon presidential transition. The order amends Civil Service Rule VI and exempts Schedule G positions from standard civil service removal protections, allowing the administration to appoint and remove personnel without competitive examination or standard procedural safeguards.
• Trump signs executive order creating Schedule G federal worker classification for at-will political appointees — On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order establishing Schedule G, a new classification of federal employees subject to presidential hiring and firing without civil service protections. The order targets policy-level positions across agencies, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is framed as streamlining appointments and dismantling the "deep state." The classification mirrors Schedule C (temporary policy employees) and complements Schedule F, which strips civil service protections from career federal workers. Critics argue it further politicizes the federal workforce and undermines nonpartisan government service.

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• House hearing on campus antisemitism featuring UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and CUNY leaders — The House of Representatives held its ninth antisemitism hearing since October 2023, questioning the leaders of UC Berkeley, Georgetown University, and the City University of New York about campus antisemitism, faculty hiring practices, diversity initiatives, and foreign funding. University leaders condemned antisemitism and described institutional measures taken. Democratic lawmakers criticized the hearing as "political theatre," noting the Trump administration's closure of civil rights enforcement offices and arguing the focus deflected from broader discrimination issues affecting other student groups.
• House Republicans hold hearing on campus antisemitism at UC Berkeley, CUNY, Georgetown — The House Republican-led committee held its ninth hearing on antisemitism in higher education, questioning the chancellors of UC Berkeley, CUNY, and Georgetown University. University leaders defended their institutions' responses to antisemitism allegations and emphasized their commitment to free speech protections. Republicans pressed the leaders on faculty discipline and foreign funding, while Democrats criticized the hearing as political theater and noted the dismantling of the Education Department's civil rights investigation capacity. The hearing was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

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• Supreme Court grants stay on Education Department layoff order — The Supreme Court's right-wing majority granted a stay on a lower court order blocking the Trump administration from gutting the Department of Education while litigation proceeds. Federal Judge Myong Joun had ordered reinstatement of 1,378 fired workers after nineteen states and D.C. sued to stop the layoffs. The stay permits the layoffs to continue. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, arguing the majority enabled executive defiance of law and violated separation of powers.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Somerville Public Schools v. Trump (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10677 — The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to grant a stay of a preliminary injunction that had blocked the administration's plans to dismantle the Department of Education and fire thousands of department employees. The majority did not provide any reasoning. In dissent , Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, warned that the Court's order enables the executive branch to functionally “abolish” an entire department “by executive fiat.”
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of New York v. McMahon (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10601 — The Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of McMahon v. New York. This decision temporarily allows the Department of Education to proceed with a reduction in force that impacts nearly 50% of its workforce, approximately 1,378 employees. The stay was granted in a 6-3 decision, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting. The case was initially brought by twenty states and the District of Columbia, challenging the reduction in force as unlawful.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in McMahon v. New York — The Supreme Court granted an emergency appeal from the Trump administration, allowing it to move forward with gutting the Department of Education by firing nearly half of the agency's workforce. The decision bypassed lower-court review and normal appellate procedures.
• Supreme Court grants emergency appeal allowing Department of Education workforce cuts

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• Trump administration fires 15 immigration judges — NPR reported that the Trump administration fired 15 immigration judges last week and two more on Monday, July 14, despite the GOP tax and spending bill allocating an additional $3 billion in immigration-related funding to the Justice Department, including funds to hire about 100 more immigration judges.

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• Justice Department announces investigation into Minnesota hiring practices — The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division announced an investigation into the State of Minnesota and its Department of Human Services to determine whether state employment hiring practices discriminate based on race and sex. The investigation was prompted by a Minnesota policy requiring hiring supervisors to justify hiring non-underrepresented candidates, with non-compliance subject to disciplinary action. The Civil Rights Division will investigate whether Minnesota engages in a pattern or practice of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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• Supreme Court ruled Trump can proceed with federal workforce reduction — The Supreme Court ruled that Trump can proceed with his plan to reduce the federal workforce through mass layoffs. In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson panned the ruling, writing, "This was the wrong decision at the wrong moment, especially given what little this Court knows about what is actually happening on the ground."
• US Supreme Court lifts stay on Trump federal workforce reductions — The US Supreme Court issued an unsigned order on Tuesday lifting a lower court freeze on Trump administration "reductions in force" (mass federal layoffs). The decision reversed San Francisco District Judge Susan Illston's 22 May ruling that had blocked agencies from carrying out mass layoffs and ordered reinstatement of fired workers. The Court found Trump's executive order and implementing memorandum "likely to succeed" on lawfulness grounds. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, warning the decision would result in hundreds of thousands of job losses across agriculture, commerce, health, state, treasury, veterans affairs, and other agencies.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-03698 — In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court stayed a preliminary injunction which had blocked the administration from implementing widespread Reduction in Forces (RIFs) and agency reorganizations across 22 agencies. The majority noted that the Executive Order 14210 and related memorandum are likely to be lawful, and found the district court had based its injunction on those directives rather than individual agency plans. They declined to opine as to whether any specific RIFs or reorganization plans may be lawful. Justice Sotomayor concurred to emphasize that the lower court may still review individual agency plans on a case-by-case basis. Justice Jackson dissented.
• Supreme Court stays preliminary injunction in case challenging Trump's executive order — On July 8, 2025, the Supreme Court granted a stay on a preliminary injunction that had been issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The injunction had temporarily blocked the implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order titled "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative, which aimed to enact a hiring freeze and large-scale reductions in force across federal agencies. The Supreme Court's decision allows the federal government to proceed with the order while the legal challenge continues. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in the 8-1 decision.
• Supreme Court stays preliminary injunction on Trump's workforce optimization order — On July 8, 2025, the Supreme Court granted a stay on a preliminary injunction that had been issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The injunction had temporarily blocked the implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order titled "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative, which aimed to enforce a hiring freeze and large-scale reductions in force across federal agencies. The Supreme Court's decision allows the federal government to proceed with the order while the legal challenge continues. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in the 8-1 decision.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Trump v. American Federation of Government Employees — On July 8, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the federal government's request for a stay in the case of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, et al. v. American Federation of Government Employees, et al. This decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with implementing an executive order that enacts a hiring freeze and large-scale reductions in force across federal agencies. The order had been previously blocked by a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Susan Illston of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The Supreme Court's decision was made in an 8-1 vote, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.

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• AG Bondi fired DOJ prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases — Attorney General Pam Bondi fired at least three career DOJ prosecutors who worked on cases related to the January 6 insurrection. The attorneys received letters signed by Bondi stating they were "removed from federal service effective immediately" with no further explanation. A federal law enforcement official characterized the firings as "a slap in the face" to career prosecutors and warned of continued "brain drain" at the DOJ.
• Attorney General Bondi fires approximately 20 DOJ employees including January 6 prosecutors — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired approximately 20 Department of Justice employees, including support staff and several prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases for special counsel Jack Smith. The firings targeted individuals who had worked on cases against Trump and his allies, including prosecutions related to classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Joseph Tirrell, DOJ ethics official — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Joseph Tirrell, the Department of Justice's top ethics official, without explanation. Tirrell's removal is part of a broader pattern of firings targeting officials perceived as obstacles to Trump's agenda.
• Attorney General Bondi fires Maureen Comey, prosecutor on Epstein case — In July 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired Maureen Comey, a key prosecutor in the New York office who had worked on charges against sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. The firing occurred without explanation and is part of a pattern of removing prosecutors who worked on cases against Trump or his associates.

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• University of Virginia president James Ryan resigns under White House pressure over DEI programs — James Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, resigned from his position after the Trump administration's Justice Department pressured him to step down as part of settling a civil rights investigation into UVA's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Ryan stated he could not unilaterally fight the federal government, citing potential job losses for hundreds of employees, lost research funding, and student financial aid impacts. The resignation follows Trump's broader campaign to eliminate DEI programs across government and higher education institutions.

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• RFK Jr's remade vaccine panel votes to restrict thimerosal in flu shots — Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr unilaterally fired all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June 2025 and appointed eight ideological allies. On 26 June, the reconstituted panel voted 5–1–1 to recommend against thimerosal, a preservative used in about 5% of multidose flu vaccine vials, despite decades of scientific evidence showing no real-world harm. The decision bypassed a CDC career scientist presentation on thimerosal safety and instead featured a presentation from an anti-vaccine advocate whose work contained a fabricated study reference.