Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Judge McFadden orders White House to restore Associated Press media access — US District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, issued a 41-page order requiring the White House to restore full access for Associated Press journalists to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and White House events. The AP had been denied access after refusing to adopt the Trump administration's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." McFadden ruled that viewpoint-based exclusion of journalists from government spaces violates the First Amendment. The White House had argued the AP lacks a right to "special access," but the judge found the Constitution prohibits selective closure of doors to journalists based on their editorial positions.
• Federal judge blocked White House from restricting AP access — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the White House from restricting access to the Associated Press because of its decision to use "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America."

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court allows Trump administration to freeze $65m in teacher-training grants — The US Supreme Court issued a 5-4 emergency order allowing the Trump administration to temporarily freeze $65 million in teacher-training grants supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The decision overturned a federal judge's temporary restraining order that had blocked the cuts. Eight Democratic-led states challenged the freeze, arguing it violated federal law requiring clear explanation for cancellations. The programs affected serve over 100 teacher preparation initiatives, particularly in math, science, and special education. Schools have already begun laying off staff and canceling programs due to the funding loss.
• Supreme Court Grants Stay in Department of Education v. California — The Supreme Court granted a stay of a lower court order in the case of Department of Education v. California. The case involved the Department of Education's termination of grants related to the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs. Eight states, led by California, challenged the terminations, arguing they violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The lower court had ordered the restoration of the grants, but the Supreme Court's decision allows the terminations to proceed pending appeal. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Department of Education v. California (24A910) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Department of Education v. California. Docket number(s): 24A910.

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• Louisiana jury orders Chevron to pay $744m for coastal wetlands destruction — A Louisiana civil jury found Chevron liable for destroying southeast Louisiana coastal wetlands through oil and gas operations, awarding Plaquemines Parish $744m in damages ($575m for land loss, $161m for contamination, $8.6m for abandoned equipment). The verdict concludes the first of 42 lawsuits filed approximately 12 years earlier alleging the company's dredging, drilling, and wastewater dumping violated state coastal resource regulations. Chevron intends to appeal.

Supporting reports

• Judge Xinis orders government to return Abrego Garcia by April 7 — On April 4, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7. In her April 6 opinion, Judge Xinis found that there were "no legal grounds whatsoever for his arrest, detention, or removal" and that his detention "appears wholly lawless" and constitutes "a clear constitutional violation." She rejected the government's claim that it lacks jurisdiction to order his return, writing that the administration cannot "forcibly remove any person—migrant and U.S. citizen alike—to prisons outside the United States, and then baldly assert they have no way to effectuate return."
• U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered government to return deported legal resident from El Salvador — U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to bring back to the United States no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7 a legal resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the government mistakenly sent to a notorious prison for terrorists in El Salvador. The government had claimed the deportation was an "administrative error" but argued it could not bring him back because he was outside the reach of American laws. Judge Xinis found that Abrego Garcia, who was in the U.S. legally and was not charged with any crimes, was arrested "without legal basis" and deported "without justification of legal basis," calling it "an illegal act."
• Case update — Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00951 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' emergency motion for a TRO. The Defendants state it was an “administrative error” to have removed Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, but oppose the relief that Plaintiffs request.

Supporting reports

• Judge issues restraining order against DOGE — U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), prohibiting the Social Security Administration from sharing personally identifiable information with DOGE. The judge criticized DOGE for lacking justification for its access to SSA records, highlighting concerns about privacy and government overreach.
• DOGE conducted unauthorized searches of Social Security data after court restraining order — According to the Department of Justice court filing, DOGE team members conducted searches of personally identifiable information on March 24, 2025, even after the Social Security Administration believed it had revoked all such access in compliance with a federal court's temporary restraining order issued March 20, 2025. The final search occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m., with full access terminated by noon that day. DOGE members had also been granted access to systems beyond what the agency previously reported to the court, including employee records and personnel access information.
• Federal judge blocked DOGE access to federal agency data — A federal judge temporarily blocked Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing the private data of individuals at several federal agencies. The block prevents DOGE from obtaining sensitive personal information held by the government.
• DOGE staffer signed agreement to share Social Security data with election denial group — In March 2025, a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer embedded at the Social Security Administration signed a "Voter Data Agreement" with a political advocacy group seeking to overturn election results in certain states. According to a court filing by government lawyers, the DOGE employee sent the executed agreement on March 24, 2025. Emails suggest DOGE team members could have been asked to assist the group by accessing SSA data to match voter rolls. The SSA referred the involved employees to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel for possible Hatch Act violations.
• Federal judge blocks DOGE access to federal employee personal databases — On February 3, Popular Information reported that DOGE staff at the Office of Personnel Management received unprecedented access to databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees. A week later, a coalition of labor unions representing federal workers sued OPM citing Popular Information's report seven times. On March 24, a federal judge issued an injunction blocking DOGE's access to the databases.

Supporting reports

• Judge rules USAid shutdown likely violated US Constitution — A federal judge, Theodore Chuang, ruled that Elon Musk and the "department of government efficiency" (Doge) likely violated the US Constitution by shutting down USAid. The judge ordered the Trump administration to reverse actions taken to dismantle the agency, including halting efforts to terminate USAid officials and contractors, and reinstating former employees' access to government systems. The ruling also requires allowing USAid to return to its headquarters if the underlying case is successful. The administration is expected to appeal the decision.
• Federal judge blocked DOGE cuts to USAID — A federal judge ruled the dismantling of USAID likely violates the Constitution and blocked DOGE from making any further cuts to the agency, protecting the congressionally-created development organization.
• Judge Chuang rules against destruction of USAID — U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang issued a 68-page decision finding that the actions of Elon Musk and the "Department of Government Efficiency" to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) likely violated the Constitution. Chuang ordered parts of USAID to be restored, emphasizing the agency's importance to public interest and congressional authority.

Supporting reports

• Judge blocks Trump from using Alien Enemies Act for deportations — A federal judge, James Boasberg, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport five Venezuelan nationals. The administration had invoked the act, claiming the Venezuelans were part of the Tren de Aragua gang, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The judge's decision came in response to a lawsuit by the ACLU and Democracy Forward, arguing the act was unlawfully invoked during peacetime. The restraining order prevents deportations for 14 days, maintaining the status quo until a hearing is set.
• U.S. District Judge blocks deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The ruling was based on the lack of hearings for the individuals to present evidence against their alleged gang affiliation. The administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations without due process.
• Judge Boasberg issued temporary restraining order blocking Alien Enemies Act deportations — US District Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants and ordered planes carrying migrants out of the country to immediately turn around. The administration defied the order, with three planes landing in El Salvador and more than 135 migrants deported.
• Judge halts deportation under Alien Enemies Act — A federal judge, James Boasberg, issued an immediate halt to the deportation of five Venezuelan nationals, blocking the Trump administration's attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration had invoked this wartime law, claiming the Venezuelans were part of a gang conducting hostile actions against the U.S. The judge's order required any planes already in the air to be turned around. This decision came in response to a lawsuit by civil liberties organizations arguing the act's misuse during peacetime.

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• Federal judge blocks deportation of Mahmoud Khalil — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia graduate and green card holder, who was detained by immigration officers. Khalil's detention was part of a broader campaign against pro-Palestinian activists on university campuses. The judge is considering an appeal to move Khalil from a detention center in Louisiana back to New York. This legal intervention highlights the contentious nature of the administration's immigration enforcement actions.

Supporting reports

• Federal judges rule against Musk's firings — Two federal judges issued rulings against Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) regarding the firing of probationary employees. Judge William H. Alsup in California ruled that fired employees must be offered their jobs back, criticizing the process as a "sham." In Maryland, Judge James Bredar issued a temporary restraining order blocking further firings at 18 federal agencies. These rulings challenge Musk's cost-cutting measures, which have faced public disapproval and legal scrutiny.
• Judge orders reinstatement of federal workers — U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that federal agencies must immediately offer jobs back to thousands of probationary workers who were purged from the government early in President Trump's administration. The judge stated that the mass firings did not follow legal protocols. Additionally, Judge James Bredar ordered the reinstatement of these workers across multiple federal departments, indicating that the government likely engaged in an illegal scheme regarding the firings.
• U.S. District Judge Bredar Orders Reinstatement of Probationary Workers — U.S. District Judge James Bredar ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of probationary workers across multiple federal departments, indicating that the government likely engaged in an illegal scheme regarding the firings. Bredar criticized the administration's claim that the dismissals were based on individual performance assessments, stating that no such assessments were made.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge orders reinstatement of fired probationary staff — A federal judge in California, William H. Alsup, issued a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of probationary federal employees who were fired from six federal agencies. The ruling is part of a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees. The judge criticized the Trump administration's justification for the firings, stating that claims of poor performance were false. The order affects employees from the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Energy, Interior, and Treasury. The judge also restricted the Office of Personnel Management from advising agencies on terminations.
• Judge orders Musk to comply with lawsuit — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to turn over their records and answer questions in response to a lawsuit filed by 14 attorneys general from Democratic-dominated states. They are required to comply within three weeks.
• Judge orders rehiring of federal employees — Judge William Alsup ordered the Trump administration to immediately rehire tens of thousands of federal employees from various departments who were terminated due to Elon Musk's DOGE cuts. The judge criticized the administration for allegedly firing employees under false pretenses of performance issues, calling it a lie and expressing frustration over the lack of transparency in the process.
• Federal judge reinstates fired probationary workers — On March 13, 2025, a federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers at federal agencies. This decision was part of a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees. The ruling applies to employees from several departments, including Defense and Veterans Affairs, who were dismissed under claims of poor performance. The judge criticized these claims as false and prohibited the Office of Personnel Management from advising on terminations.
• Federal judges rule against Musk's firings — Two federal judges issued rulings against Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) regarding the firing of probationary employees. Judge William H. Alsup in California ruled that fired employees must be offered their jobs back, criticizing the process as a "sham." In Maryland, Judge James Bredar issued a temporary restraining order blocking further firings at 18 federal agencies. These rulings challenge Musk's cost-cutting measures, which have faced public disapproval and legal scrutiny.
• Judge orders reinstatement of federal workers — U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that federal agencies must immediately offer jobs back to thousands of probationary workers who were purged from the government early in President Trump's administration. The judge stated that the mass firings did not follow legal protocols. Additionally, Judge James Bredar ordered the reinstatement of these workers across multiple federal departments, indicating that the government likely engaged in an illegal scheme regarding the firings.
• Judge rules against mass firings — U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled that the mass firings of probationary workers from various federal departments did not comply with legal requirements. The judge expressed skepticism about the government's claims regarding the firings and criticized the lack of transparency in the process.

Supporting reports

• Court rules Trump’s firing of labor board official illegal — A federal court ruled that Donald Trump's firing of Gwynne Wilcox, a senior official at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), was illegal. The court ordered her reinstatement, stating that the president does not have the authority to terminate NLRB members at will. The ruling emphasized that the president is not a king and must adhere to constitutional limits. Wilcox's removal had left the NLRB without a quorum, affecting its ability to function. The court's decision reinforces the independence of the NLRB and the rule of law.
• Summary judgment ruling — Gwynne A. Wilcox v. Donald J. Trump et al (D.C. Cir.) 1:25-cv-00334 — Judge Beryl Howell granted the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, and denied the defendant's cross motion for summary judgment. The court issued a declaratory judgment that Wilcox's firing was unlawful and that she remains a member of the NLRB; the court further ordered that Wilcox be allowed to continue to serve in office unless removed for cause under the NLRA, and enjoined defendants from removing Wilcox or impeding her from executing her duties.
• Federal court rules Trump's firing of labor chief illegal — A federal court ruled that President Trump's firing of Gwynne Wilcox, a senior official at the National Labor Relations Board, was illegal. The court ordered her reinstatement, marking a significant legal setback for the administration. This ruling underscores the limits of presidential power in removing officials and reinforces the independence of labor oversight bodies.

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• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of New York v. Trump (D.R.I.) 1:25-cv-00039 — Judge McConnell granted the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants were enjoined from in any way impeding the disbursement of appropriated federal funds to the states.
• Trump faces legal challenges over funding freeze — U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. ruled that Trump does not have the authority to freeze funding appropriated by Congress, issuing a preliminary injunction in the case New York v. Trump. This ruling emphasizes the constitutional separation of powers and limits executive authority over budgetary matters.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court rejects Trump request to freeze foreign aid — The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, rejected the Trump administration's request to continue freezing nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the liberal justices to uphold a lower court's order to unfreeze the aid, which had been approved by Congress. The decision marks a setback for the Trump administration, which had imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance. The Supreme Court instructed Judge Amir Ali to clarify the government's obligations to comply with the order.
• Supreme Court denies request to block foreign aid payment — The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, denied the federal government's request to overturn an order by D.C. Circuit Judge Amir Ali. Judge Ali had temporarily paused part of President Donald Trump's executive order that sought to reevaluate and realign U.S. foreign aid. The order prevented the suspension of foreign aid funding that existed before January 20, 2025. The Supreme Court instructed Judge Ali to clarify the government's obligations to ensure compliance with the order. The federal government subsequently provided a schedule for fulfilling pre-existing funding commitments.
• Supreme Court rejects Trump administration's aid freeze — The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, rejected the Trump administration's attempt to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. This ruling represents a significant check on executive power and supports congressional authority over budgetary decisions.
• Supreme Court ruling against foreign aid freeze — The Supreme Court issued a ruling against the Trump administration's freeze on nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. This decision led to the lifting of some stop-work orders on aid projects, which had been in place since late January. The ruling indicates that the administration must comply with the court's order, at least temporarily, allowing some aid programs to resume operations. However, there remains confusion among program administrators about the criteria for future reviews of their projects.

Supporting reports

• Judge blocks Musk agency access to personal data — U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued a temporary restraining order preventing Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) from accessing sensitive personal information of millions of Americans. The ruling stops the Department of Education and the Office of Personnel Management from sharing federal employees' and student borrowers' data with Doge, citing potential violations of federal privacy laws. This decision follows a lawsuit by federal employee unions, student loan recipients, and veterans, and represents a significant judicial check on Doge's activities since its establishment by a January executive order.
• Federal court issues injunction against DOGE — On February 24, 2025, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), preventing it from disclosing personally identifiable information of federal employees to the DOGE team. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, which cited a report by Popular Information and Musk Watch. The court found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that OPM's actions violated the Privacy Act. The TRO is set to expire on March 10, 2025, pending further court determination.
• Judge blocks data sharing with Musk's department — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management from sharing sensitive data with Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. This decision addresses concerns about data privacy and security.
• Federal judge blocks Doge from accessing personal data — A federal judge temporarily blocked Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) from accessing sensitive personal information of millions of Americans. This decision challenges the Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal government by limiting Doge's access to data maintained by the US education department and the US office of personnel management.

Supporting reports

• Case update — Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center v. Noem (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00418 — Plaintiffs filed a Reply explaining that in spite of the administration's Feb. 20 notice that all immigrant detainees had been transferred off Guantánamo and the TRO was moot, they had learned via social media that another group of immigrants was being sent to Guantánamo. The Reply adds further factual allegations and legal arguments that immigrant detainees are prevented from having real meaningful access to legal representation. These include that (1) the government and guards at the detention camp do not allow detainees to make phone calls, including by saying “this is a terrorist prison and there is no capacity to make calls” and by limiting available phones and times such that most people cannot use them; (2) unrepresented detainees transferred to Guantanamo do not have access to a legal directory, know your rights briefings, or practical means to meet counsel; and (3) retained counsel face numerous obstacles to representing their clients, including that only five detainees can make phone calls each day, there are no means for attorneys to initiate contact with their clients, and there is no way to transfer or sign paperwork other than the government's announced policy to “generally follow the procedures used in the habeas litigation involving law of war detainees,” and to transfer mail to detainees from Washington, D.C. on a weekly basis. Plaintiffs argue that these restrictions violate detainees' First and Fifth Amendment rights, as well as their statutory right to counsel under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as the plaintiff advocacy organizations' First Amendment rights.
• Case update — Storch et al. v. Hegseth et al. (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00415 — State Attorneys General of Florida and 19 states submitted an amicus brief in support of Defendants. The State of Tennessee also submitted an amicus brief in support of Defendants.
• Motion granted — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — The plaintiffs in Global Health Council v. Trump filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO.
• Motion granted — Global Health Council v. Trump (D.D.C.) ​​1:25-cv-00402 — Plaintiffs filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO.
• Notice of appeal filed — Nat’l Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Ed. v. Trump (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-00333 — Defendants submitted a notice of appeal to the Fourth Circuit (Case No. 25-1189 ).
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation of Teachers et al v. Bessent et al (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00430 — The court granted a TRO enjoining the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management from disclosing sensitive information to any DOGE affiliates. The court denied the motion for a TRO against Treasury officials on the basis that a preliminary injunction against Treasury has already been granted in a related case.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Doe v. McHenry (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00286 — Judge Lamberth issued an Order granting the request for an expanded preliminary injunction covering the additional plaintiffs.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — John and Jane Does 1-9 v. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00325 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , a motion for preliminary injunction , and a memorandum in support of the motion for preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — New Mexico et al. v. Musk (D.D.C.) 1.25-cv-00429 — Plaintiff States filed a motion for expedited discovery relating to an upcoming motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants filed a memorandum in opposition on Feb 28. Plaintiffs filed a reply on March 3. Plaintiffs' expedited discovery motion seeks “to confirm public reporting about Defendants' conduct, show Defendants' future plans, and illustrate the nature and scope of the unconstitutional and unlawful authority that Defendants are exercising and will continue to imminently exercise.” The document requests and interrogatories generally concern DOGE's and Musk's conduct in four areas: (1) eliminating or reducing the size of federal agencies; (2) terminating or placing federal employees on leave; (3) cancelling, freezing, or pausing federal contracts, grants, or other federal funding; and (4) obtaining access, using, or making changes to federal databases or data management systems.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops v. Department of State et al. (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00465 — Plaintiffs filed a supplemental memorandum in support of the motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Judge blocks ICE enforcement at houses of worship — A federal judge temporarily blocked ICE agents from conducting enforcement measures at some churches and other houses of worship. This decision protects religious sanctuaries and addresses concerns about immigration enforcement.

Supporting reports

• Federal court issues injunction against DOGE — On February 24, 2025, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), preventing it from disclosing personally identifiable information of federal employees to the DOGE team. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions, which cited a report by Popular Information and Musk Watch. The court found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that OPM's actions violated the Privacy Act. The TRO is set to expire on March 10, 2025, pending further court determination.

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• Federal court grants injunction against Musk's access to private information — A federal court granted a preliminary injunction to prevent Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Americans' private information in the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by eighteen states against Musk's team.
• — A federal court granted a preliminary injunction to prevent Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Americans' private information in the Treasury Department’s central payment system. This legal action follows a lawsuit filed by eighteen states against Musk's team.

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• US judge blocks Trump's anti-DEI directives — A federal judge in Maryland, Adam Abelson, temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump from enforcing bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at federal agencies and businesses contracting with the federal government. The judge ruled that Trump's directives likely violate the First Amendment, as they aim to suppress speech supportive of DEI. The injunction prevents Trump and federal agencies from implementing these orders while a lawsuit by the city of Baltimore and three groups is pending.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Nat’l Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Ed. v. Trump (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-00333 — Judge Adam B. Abelson issued a memorandum opinion and granted the preliminary injunction in large part, enjoining implementation of the Termination Provision of Executive Order 14151 and of the Certification and Enforcement Threat Provisions of Executive Order 14173. The court stated that “Plaintiffs' irreparable harms include widespread chilling of unquestionably protected speech." The court also denied the preliminary injunction in part, allowing the Attorney General to prepare the report pursuant to Executive Order 14173 and to engage in an investigation.

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• Trump issues executive order to end birthright citizenship — On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order seeking to overturn birthright citizenship by reinterpreting the 14th Amendment. The order declares that children born in the US to parents who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents, or who have only temporary legal status, are not automatically US citizens. The order applies to births after February 19, 2025. The Migration Policy Institute estimated approximately 255,000 children annually would be affected, potentially adding 2.7 million unauthorized immigrants by 2045.
• Appeals court denies Trump's plea to reinstate birthright citizenship ban — A federal appeals court in San Francisco denied the Trump administration's request to reinstate a ban on birthright citizenship. This decision leaves in place an injunction issued by a federal court in Washington state. The case, brought by Democratic attorneys general from Arizona, Oregon, and Illinois, challenges an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, which aimed to end birthright citizenship for children of non-citizens or non-legal permanent residents. The appeals court's decision sets up a potential battle at the US Supreme Court.
• US court denies reinstatement of birthright citizenship ban — A US appeals court denied the Justice Department's emergency application to reinstate a ban on birthright citizenship. The ban, initially ordered by Donald Trump, was blocked by a court, and the appeals court ruled that the DOJ did not demonstrate an emergency need to overturn the decision. This ruling maintains the status quo regarding birthright citizenship in the US.

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• Appeal filed — State of New Jersey et al v. Donald J. Trump et al (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10139 — Defendants appealed Judge Sorokin's Feb. 13 preliminary injunction order to the First Circuit (Case No. 25-1170 ).
• Case update — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — Plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for contempt seeking to enforce the Feb. 13 TRO against Defendants and hold them in civil contempt. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants' purported compliance with the TRO “strains credulity” and that Defendants have continued to suspend funding and enforce stop-work orders in violation of the court's orders.
• Notice of appeal filed — O. Doe; Brazilian Worker Center, Inc; La Colaborativa v. Donald J. Trump et al (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10135 — Defendants submitted a notice of appeal to the First Circuit (Case No. 25-1169 ).
• Preliminary injunction ruling — County of Santa Clara v. Trump, et al (N.D. Cal.) 5:25-cv-00981 — Santa Clara County filed a reply in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Shilling v. Trump (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00241 — Plaintiffs filed motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the enforcement of the executive order as to Plaintiffs and other current and aspiring transgender servicemembers.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of Washington et al. v. Donald J. Trump et al. (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00244 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the State of Colorado as a plaintiff and a Fifth Amendment Due Process claim for vagueness. Plaintiffs moved separately for a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Executive Order, to which the government responded in opposition on Feb. 28.
• Stay motion decided — State of Washington et al v. Donald J. Trump et al (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00127 — The Ninth Circuit issued an order denying the government's emergency motion to stay the district court's injunction and leaving the existing briefing schedule unchanged.

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• Judge orders Trump administration to release frozen funds — Chief Judge McConnell of the Federal District Court of Rhode Island ruled that the Trump administration is violating his order to lift a freeze on funding for various federal programs. He ordered the immediate release of the funds and indicated that contempt proceedings could begin against officials who refuse to comply, with Elon Musk likely to be a focus of such proceedings.
• Judge orders Trump to restore frozen funding — A federal judge, John J. McConnell Jr., ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore billions in federal funding that had been frozen. This directive follows a previous temporary restraining order issued in January, which the administration had defied. The funding freeze was initially implemented by the Trump administration's office of management and budget to align spending with Trump's policies. The judge's order comes after nearly two dozen states filed a lawsuit against the administration, claiming non-compliance with the court's previous order.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — State of New York v. Trump (D.R.I.) 1:25-cv-00039 — Judge McConnell granted Plaintiffs' motion to enforce the temporary restraining order. Judge McConnell noted the Plaintiff States presented evidence suggesting that Defendants “have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds” ( citing three exhibits ). Judge McConnell emphasized that this is a violation of the TRO and ordered Defendants to immediately restore frozen funding.
• Court orders restoration of frozen funding — Chief Judge John McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the Trump administration must immediately restore federal funding that had been frozen, despite a temporary restraining order requiring its disbursement. This ruling specifically addresses funds owed to farmers who had entered contracts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for infrastructure improvements. The court's decision emphasizes adherence to legal obligations regarding appropriated funds.

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• Judge orders Trump to restore frozen funding — A federal judge, John J. McConnell Jr., ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore billions in federal funding that had been frozen. This directive follows a previous temporary restraining order issued in January, which the administration had defied. The funding freeze was initially implemented by the Trump administration's office of management and budget to align spending with Trump's policies. The judge's order comes after nearly two dozen states filed a lawsuit against the administration, claiming non-compliance with the court's previous order.

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• Judge blocks birthright citizenship order — A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, stating it would cause "irreparable harm." This decision protects the constitutional rights of individuals born in the US.

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• Judge grants injunction on birthright citizenship — A federal judge in Seattle granted an injunction against President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship. This decision protects the constitutional rights of individuals born in the US.

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• Steve Wynn petitions SCOTUS to overturn NYT v. Sullivan — Billionaire Steve Wynn filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to overturn the 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, which protects press freedom to report on public officials. This legal challenge could significantly impact media protections.