Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• US House passes bill penalizing universities participating in Israel boycotts — The US House of Representatives passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act on a 237-169 vote, with 33 Democrats crossing party lines. The bill mandates that colleges and universities receiving federal student aid and international study funding certify annually that they do not participate in boycotts of Israel and do not restrict students from participating in Israeli programs or Israeli students from campus programs. The measure now proceeds to the Senate.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice announces settlement agreement with Cornell University on civil rights compliance and agricultural research funding — The Department of Justice, Department of Education, and Department of Health and Human Services announced a settlement with Cornell University requiring the university to invest $30 million in agricultural research through 2028, pay $30 million to the federal government over three years, adopt DOJ civil rights training guidance, provide admissions data for statistical analysis, and comply with requests regarding foreign funding sources. In exchange, the federal government will close pending investigations into Cornell's admissions policies and civil rights concerns, restore terminated grants, and treat Cornell as eligible for future federal funding.
• White House issues fact sheet on Cornell University settlement — The White House issued a fact sheet on November 7, 2025, announcing a settlement between the Trump Administration and Cornell University. According to the document, Cornell will pay a $30 million penalty to the United States over three years, invest $30 million in agricultural research over three years, conduct annual campus climate surveys regarding Jewish student safety, and comply with federal civil rights laws. The fact sheet states the agreement addresses alleged racial discrimination in admissions, DEI practices in hiring, and anti-Semitic incidents on campus.

Supporting reports

• Brown University rejected Trump administration higher education agreement — Brown University became the second university to reject an offer from the Trump administration that would provide the school with favorable treatment for federal funds if it agreed to make changes to its policies that reflect the president's higher education agenda. In a letter to Trump administration officials, the school's president said she's concerned that the agreement would "restrict academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of Brown's governance."
• Brown University rejects Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" — Brown University's president Christina Paxson sent a letter to Trump administration officials declining to sign the proposed 10-page college compact, which would restrict diversity, equity and inclusion programs and limit international student enrollment in exchange for preferential federal funding access. Paxson cited concerns that the compact would restrict academic freedom, undermine institutional autonomy, and compromise merit-based research funding criteria. Brown became the second major university to refuse, following MIT's rejection the previous week.
• University of Pennsylvania rejected Trump administration agreement — The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California became the latest post-secondary institutions to reject the Trump administration's agreement. Penn's Faculty Senate had passed a resolution that noted the deal "proposes an unprecedented and unconstitutional degree of governmental intrusion on academic freedom."
• University of Southern California rejected Trump administration agreement — The University of Southern California became the latest post-secondary institution to reject the Trump administration's agreement on higher education policy.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — American Association of University Professors v. United States Department of Justice (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02429 — Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed the case. That day, the Plaintiffs appealed to the Second Circuit.
• Appeal filed — Boyle v. Trump (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-01628 — Defendants appealed Judge Maddox's summary judgment order to the Fourth Circuit.
• Case update — American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO v. Goldstein (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-03072 — Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint .
• Case update — Carter v. Department of Education (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00744 — The court stayed the case pending the status of appeals in State of New York v. McMahon , Civil Action No. 25-10601 (D. Mass.) and Somerville Public Schools v. Trump , Civil Action No. 25-10677 (D. Mass.).
• Case update — City of Chicago v. United States Department of Homeland Security (N.D. Ill.) 1:25-cv-05462 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , adding Boston, Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle as plaintiffs. The amended filing described each city's reliance on the Securing the Cities program and the harms from DHS's freeze on 2025 reimbursements and failure to release approved 2024 funds, shifted emphasis from primarily APA claims to a stronger Appropriations Clause theory challenging DHS's withholding of congressionally allocated funds, and stressed the need to restore funding before major events requiring heightened security, including political conventions and national holidays.
• Case update — City of New York v. Trump et al. (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01510 — Plaintiff filed their second amended complaint (redline here ).
• Case update — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Plaintiffs/Appellees filed their opposition in the D.C. Circuit to the Defendants'/Appellants' emergency motion seeking a stay of Judge Boasberg's June 4 order pending appeal.
• Case update — Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Trump (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00038 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which added the Conservation Law Foundation as a plaintiff.
• Motion granted — Democracy Forward Foundation v. Department of Education (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00940 — DOE answered Plaintiff's complaint, arguing that Plaintiff failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted, that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to grant relief authorized under FOIA, and that Plaintiff is not entitled to compel the release of records properly withheld under FOIA exclusions or exemptions, among other defenses.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Schiff v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10595 — Defendants filed a motion to dismiss , arguing that Plaintiffs' claims are moot in light of Defendants' compliance with the preliminary injunction order issued on May 23.
• House Judiciary Report on Trump Pardons — Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee released a report estimating that Trump's pardons have cost taxpayers over $1.3 billion in fines and restitution. The report highlights the financial impact of presidential pardons.
• R Kelly's Lawyers File Court Documents Alleging Overdose in Prison — Lawyers for R Kelly have filed new court documents alleging that the singer, who is serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking, was rushed to the hospital after overdosing on medication provided by prison staff. The filing claims that Kelly was placed in solitary confinement on June 10 and given medication with instructions to take it, leading to an overdose on June 13. The documents also allege a plot by Bureau of Prisons officials to have Kelly killed by another inmate, prompting a request for his release to home detention, which federal prosecutors have opposed.
• Case update — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — Defendants filed an unopposed motion before Judge Boasberg seeking clarification or, alternatively, a stay of further proceedings. They argued that under 28 U.S.C. § 2243, no responsive pleading (return) is due in habeas proceedings until the court issues a writ or show-cause order, and that the preliminary-injunction briefing had already served that function. In the alternative, they requested that any requirement to file a return or dispositive motion be stayed until after the D.C. Circuit resolves the appeal of the June 4 order.
• Motion granted — Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Trump (D. Alaska) 3:25-cv-00038 — Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint or stay proceedings in the alternative.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Harris County Texas v. Robert F Kennedy Jr (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01275 — The court granted State of Alaska's motion to intervene . Judge Sharon Gleason ordered that the State of Alaska be admitted into the case as an intervenor-defendant.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — Judge Christopher Cooper issued a memorandum opinion that granted in part and denied in part Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. Judge Cooper granted relief to some of the grants held by four local-government plaintiffs (Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Davidson County and Nashville, Tennessee; and Kansas City, Missouri) and decided against granting relief to all terminated grants nationwide. Defendants are enjoined from enforcing or otherwise giving effect to the March 2025 terminations of grants issued directly or indirectly to these four plaintiffs under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020, the CARES Act, and the CRRSAA.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Association of American Universities v. Department of Defense (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11740 — Judge James E. Boasberg denied Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion. In the supporting memorandum , Judge Boasberg noted Plaintiff failed to show a likelihood of irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — National Job Corps Association v. Department of Labor (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-04641 — The Court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order, prohibiting the DOD from enforcing the Rate Cap Policy.
• Case update — Association for Education Finance and Policy Inc. v. McMahon (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00999 — Judge Carter extended the temporary restraining order through June 25.
• Case update — CREW v. DOGE (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00511 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint . In this amended complaint, plaintiffs removed their ultra vires and Impoundment Act claims. Plaintiffs also added counts specifying the IES terminations and their associated alleged APA violation.
• Case update — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Treasury (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00684 — CREW filed a motion for summary disposition with the D.C. Circuit following the Supreme Court's Jun. 6 order.
• Complaint filed — EA T-B v. Bostock — Democracy Forward and the Department of the Treasury filed a joint status report to note the identification of 5,807 potentially responsive documents and the parties' efforts to further narrow Plaintiff's FOIA request to alleviate processing burdens and allow for a more expeditious processing of documents.
• Motion denied — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01535 — Defendants/Appellants filed their reply in support of their emergency motion in the D.C. Circuit to stay Judge Boasberg's June 4 order pending appeal.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — San Francisco Unified School District v. AmeriCorps, a.k.a. the Corporation for National and Community Service (N.D. Cal.) 3:25 — A complaint was filed in the Western District of Washington under the case caption EA T-B v. Bostock, docket number 2:25-cv-01192. The case involves legal challenges related to actions taken by the Trump administration. Further details about the case are forthcoming.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — W.J.C.C. v. Trump (W.D. Pa.) 3:25-cv-00153 — DOJ, DHS, and State Department (Agency Defendants) answered Plaintiff's complaint. The Agency Defendants admitted they received the FOIA requests but denied improperly withholding records from Plaintiff under FOIA.
• Summary judgment ruling — Grundmann v. Trump et al . (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00425 — The court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, thereby enjoining Defendants from imposing and enforcing new conditions on Plaintiffs' AmeriCorps grants during the pendency of the lawsuit.
• Temporary restraining order ruling — Dvortsin as Next Friend of Hayam El Gamal et al., Petitioner, v. Noem (W.D. Tex.) 5:25-cv-00664 — Judge Stephanie Haines restated her holding in A.S.R. v. Trump , No. 3:25-cv-00113, that the presidential proclamation is a valid exercise of the AEA. Judge Haines, however, granted a preliminary injunction in favor of W.J.C.C., rejecting the government's claim that it could apply shortened notice akin to expedited removal procedures. The court held that the petitioner was entitled to: “(1) twenty-one (21) days' notice and an "opportunity to be heard," (2) notice that clearly articulates the fact that he is subject to removal under the Proclamation and the AEA, (3) notice in English and Spanish, the language of the one sought to be expelled, and if needed, Spanish-to-English interpreters shall be provided for any necessary hearings, and (4) notice of all of the foregoing to his counsel.” The court denied the petitioner's request for a preliminary injunction that would have barred the government from transferring him out of the district.
• Federal Appeals Court Rejects DOJ Representation for Trump — The D.C. Circuit issued an administrative stay of Judge Sparkle's March 12 order granting Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment .
• Federal Judge Blocks Education Department Firings — Judge Orlando Garcia granted a motion to extend the previous temporary restraining order blocking the removal of the family from the district or the United States.
• Federal Judge Blocks EPA Grant Cancellations — A federal appeals court rejected President Trump's request to have Justice Department lawyers represent him in his appeal of E. Jean Carroll's defamation case. The decision maintains the separation between personal and official legal matters.
• Case update — ACLU v. United States Social Security Administration (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01217 — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from executing mass firings at the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. The decision prevents potential disruptions to civil rights enforcement.
• Stay pending appeal decided — Newsom v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-04870 — A federal judge blocked the EPA's cancellation of $600 million in environmental justice grants issued during the Biden administration. The ruling protects funding for underserved communities.
• Federal Judge Blocks Transportation Grant Conditions — Defendant Agencies answered Plaintiff's complaint. These agencies admitted that they failed to respond to Plaintiff's FOIA request, but provided several defenses to Plaintiff's action, including alleging Plaintiff is not entitled to compel the production of records under FOIA, the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff's requests, and that they did not improperly withhold the records Plaintiff requested under FOIA.
• Appeal filed — Mahmoud Khalil v. William P. Joyce et al. (D.N.J.) 2:25-cv-01963 — The Ninth Circuit granted the federal government a stay pending appeal .
• Motion denied — Darwin Antonio Arevalo Millan v. Trump (C.D. Cal.) 5:25-cv-01207 — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from tying federal transportation grant funding to immigration enforcement cooperation. The ruling protects states' rights to manage their own policies.
• Motion granted — J.G.G. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00766 — Judge Farbiarz ordered Mahmoud Khalil, who is currently detained by federal immigration authorities in Louisiana, be released from custody. On that same day, the government appealed Judge Farbiarz's June 11 order granting a preliminary injunction to the Third Circuit. Note: Mahmoud Khalil submitted a notice of claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, seeking $20 million in damages from the administration for his detention. The notice alleges that Khalil's arrest and prolonged confinement were the result of discriminatory intent by Secretary Rubio, and that his treatment-including prolonged solitary confinement and denial of medical care-constituted multiple tortious acts by federal officers.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation of Government Employees, et al. v. Office of Personnel Management et al (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01237 — Judge Holcomb denied petitioners' ex parte application for a writ of habeas corpus, noting petitioner's detention remains permissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) because of the government's intention to appeal the grant of relief in petitioner's removal proceedings (since petitioners can remain in custody pending such appeals).
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Foreign Service Association v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01030 — Judge Boasberg granted the Defendants unopposed motion for clarification, confirming that the Defendants does not need to take further action in the district court until the D.C. Circuit issues its mandate in the appeal of his June 4 order.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Oversight v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00883 — In connection with the June 9 preliminary injunction order, Judge Cote ordered OPM to file a report within two weeks describing the procedures put in place since March 6, to ensure adherence to the requirements of the Privacy Act with respect to new grant of access permissions by OPM to records containing Plaintiffs' personally identifiable information (PII). Judge Cote also ordered OPM to file a report within four weeks concerning OPM's grant of access permissions to any records containing Plaintiffs' PII made to DOGE personnel.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Open Technology Fund v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00840 — The D.C. Circuit en banc stayed the preliminary injunction order pending appeal.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — President and Fellows of Harvard College v. Department of Homeland Security (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11472 — Judge Boasberg granted in part and denied in part the Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction, granting a narrower relief by requiring that Defendants perform their mandatory notification and referral obligations, as explained in its accompanying memorandum opinion .
• Stay motion decided — State of New York v. United States Department of Education (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02990 — Judge Royce Lamberth granted Plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion, thereby enjoining Defendants from withholding congressionally appropriated funds under the grant agreement for Fiscal Year 2024 between USAGM and OTF.
• Summary judgment ruling — Association of American Universities v. National Science Foundation (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11231 — Judge Burroughs issued a preliminary injunction barring that administration from banning Harvard from participating in the State Department's Student and Visitor Exchange Program.
• Federal Judge Blocks Harvard Student Ban — The Second Circuit denied Defendants' motion to stay the district court's order, finding DOE's actions likely arbitrary and capricious under the APA-without any particularized assessment and insufficiently attentive to reliance interests-and concluding that a stay would substantially injure the plaintiff States.
• Federal Judge Orders Release of Mahmoud Khalil — The court granted Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. Implementation of the 15% Indirect Cost Rate is vacated and declared invalid, arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law. The court further ordered that within 72 hours of entry of this order, Defendants provide written notice of the order to all funding recipients affected by the 15% Indirect Cost Rate.
• — A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from prohibiting Harvard University from admitting international students. The ruling prevents the implementation of a plan to remove the school from the Student and Visitor Exchange Program.
• — A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil from ICE detention on bail, citing concerns that his detention was used as punishment for his activism. Khalil is a Palestinian green card holder involved in student protests.

Supporting reports

• Case update — President and Fellows of Harvard College v. Department of Homeland Security (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11472 — President Donald Trump issued a new Proclamation titled “Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University” that suspends entry of foreign nationals who plan to attend Harvard University. On June 5, the Plaintiff filed a motion for a TRO with a memorandum .

Supporting reports

• Summary judgment ruling — President and Fellows of Harvard College v. US Department of Health and Human Services (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11048 — President and Fellows of Harvard College filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the Court should grant summary judgment to Harvard, vacate and set aside the Government's unlawful freeze and termination of Harvard's funding, and permanently enjoin any similar action such as the termination of other contracts.

Supporting reports

• Case update — Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Kennedy (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10814 — The court found that it has subject matter jurisdiction over the action.
• Case update — Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Treasury (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00684 — All Defendants answered the complaint and the Department of Education and Small Business Administration filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings .
• Case update — National Education Association v. U.S. Department of Education (D.N.H.) 1:25-cv-00091 — Plaintiffs amended their complaint .
• Case update — PFLAG, Inc. v. Trump (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00337 — The Fourth Circuit placed the case in abeyance pending the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Skrmetti , No. 23-477.
• Case update — Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts (D.R.I.) 1:25-cv-00079 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which included updates on the changes to NEA policy that took place following the commencement of the lawsuit.
• Dismissal entered — Lentini v. Department of Government Efficiency (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00164 — Plaintiffs American Health Association, American Federation of Teachers, Minority Veterans of America, Votevets Action Fund, Center for Auto Safety Inc., and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington voluntarily dismissed their claims without prejudice. Judge Cobb clarified that the remaining consolidated case, Lentini v. DOGE, would proceed.
• Motion granted — D.B.U. v. Trump (D. Colo.) 1:25-cv-01163 — The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the appellants' motion for voluntary dismissal of their April 23 appeal.
• Motion granted — Mahdawi v. Trump (D. Vt.) 2:25-cv-00389 — Petitioner filed a motion as to the conditions of his release, which was granted on May 14. This order allows Petitioner to travel to New York State for educational purposes, to meet with his lawyers, or as otherwise ordered by the court.
• Motion granted — National Treasury Employees Union v. Russell Vought (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00381 — The D.C. Circuit granted Defendants' voluntary dismissal, terminating the consolidation with 25-5091 .
• Motion to dismiss decided — Make the Road New York et al v. Kristi Noem (Acting Secretary of Homeland Security) et al (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00190 — Plaintiffs filed a response to the motion to dismiss , refuting the Defendants' arguments and further arguing that the allegations supporting the Plaintiffs' complaint are plausible.
• Motion to dismiss decided — State of California v. U.S. Department of Education (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10548 — Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction or, in the alternative, to transfer the case to the Court of Federal Claims.
• Motion to dismiss decided — The Intercept v. DOGE (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02404 — Plaintiff responded in opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Educational Research Association v. Department of Education (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-01230 — Defendants filed a memorandum opposing Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction and proposed an alternative order on the motion.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Public Health Association v. National Institutes of Health (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10787 — Defendants filed an opposition to Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction, claiming that the Court lacks jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' claims, the Plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed on the merits, they are not certain, imminent, and irreparable, and an injunction would be contrary to the public interest.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Planned Parenthood of Greater New York v. Department of Health and Human Services (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01334 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the implementation of HHS's new requirements on certain TPP recipients.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of New York v. Trump (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11221 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction, requesting that the Court enjoin the defendant federal agencies from implementing or giving effect to the directive.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Taylor v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01161 1:25-cv-03742 — Plaintiffs filed a reply memorandum in further support for their motion for a preliminary injunction, claiming that the Defendants stopped the lawful process to impose an extra-judicial punishment. Plaintiffs claim that they are likely to prevail on the merits, they will suffer irreparable harm if the court does not intervene, and the balance of equities and public interest weighs heavily in their favor.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops v. Department of State et al. (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00465 — Plaintiffs filed their opposition to Defendants' motion to dismiss, stressing that the court's denial of the preliminary injunction does not preclude Plaintiffs from seeking other forms of equitable relief.
• Summary judgment ruling — Amica Center for Immigrant Rights et al. v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00298 — Plaintiffs filed a memorandum in opposition to Defendants' motion for summary judgment and a motion for preliminary injunction.
• Summary judgment ruling — Oregon v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Ct. Intl. Trade) 1:25-cv-00077 — Defendants filed a brief in response to Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment. Defendants requested that the court deny the motion for summary judgement arguing that the Plaintiff States nor the V.O.S. Plaintiffs can show Trump acted outside of his authority in imposing tariffs under the IEEPA. On May 13, Plaintiffs filed a supplemental response to their motion for summary judgment.
• Summary judgment ruling — Slaughter and Bedoya v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00909 — Defendants filed a reply in support of their cross-motion for summary judgment, alleging that the restrictions on the removal of FTC Commissioners are unconstitutional and that the Plaintiffs are not entitled to the relief sought.
• Summary judgment ruling — Susman Godfrey LLP v. Executive Office of the President (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01107 — Defendants filed their motion to dismiss Susman's amended complaint, for the same reasons contained in their previous motion to dismiss. On that same day, Susman filed a motion for summary judgment , requesting that the court declare the EO unlawful and enjoin Defendants from implementing or enforcing the EO, for the same reasons contained in their previous motion for summary judgment.
• Case update — President and Fellows of Harvard College v. US Department of Health and Human Services (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-11048 — Plaintiff submitted an amended complaint adding to its filings. The amended complaint includes: additional Defendants, the US Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and additional factual allegations relating to letters received in May from the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Education.
• Case update — Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Assistance and Education Program, et al, v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., et al (W.D. Was — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , which included: the Office of Head Start as an additional defendant; supplemental facts related to the Pennsylvania and Wisconsin Head Start members' language, disability, family support services and their impact on students and their families; supplemental facts related to the HHS-directed layoff and other subsequent layoffs in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, additional facts related to the purported termination of Head Start research projects; and additional allegations related to the delayed decisionmaking on the status renewal of Head Start programs.
• Dismissal entered — Iverson v. New York (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01353 — The Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case because he had received a “specific license” that mooted the relief requested. Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the dismissal that same day.
• Motion granted — Sanchez Puentes v. Garite (W.D. Tex.) 3:25-cv-00127 — Judge Briones granted the government's request to stay the district-wide relief granted in the April 25 order pending appeal.
• Motion to dismiss decided — Zacarias Matos v. Venegas (S.D. Tex.) 1:25-cv-00057 — Following a joint status report and motion to dismiss request, the court ordered the case dismissed without prejudice.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Rona v. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-03114 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of California v. Trump (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-03372 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, requesting that the court restrain Agency Defendants from implementing or enforcing the IEEPA Tariff EOs.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of Maryland v. Corporation for National and Community Service (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-01363 — Defendants responded in opposition to Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion. In the event the preliminary injunction is granted, Defendants requested that it be limited to only the Plaintiff States.
• Ruling vacated — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — Judge Ali denied the Defendants' motion for an indicative ruling and vacated the administrative stay.
• Motion denied — Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto v. United States Department of Health and Human Services (N.D. Cal.) 3:25-cv-02847 — The Ninth Circuit denied Defendants' motion for a stay, and the government petitioned for an en banc review on May 28.
• Motion denied — CREW v. DOGE (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00511 — The D.C. Circuit dissolved the administrative stay and denied the defendants' petition for a writ of mandamus.
• Motion to dismiss decided — Chung v. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-02412 — Defendants replied in support of their motion to dismiss, further emphasizing their belief that the court lacks jurisdiction over Chung's claim.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Oversight v. Hegseth (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00883 — Plaintiffs filed a reply in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — King County v. Turner (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00814 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion, reiterating their belief that the court does not have jurisdiction over the matter.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Schlacter v. U.S. Department of State (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-01344 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction and supporting memorandum .
• Summary judgment ruling — Aviel v. Gor et al (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00778 — Plaintiff filed a consolidated reply in support of their motion for summary judgment and opposition to Defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment.
• Case update — Ireland v. Hegseth (D.N.J.) 1:25-cv-01918 — Plaintiffs move to voluntarily dismiss this action without prejudice, which the court grants.
• Case update — Oregon v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Ct. Intl. Trade) 1:25-cv-00077 — State Attorney General of California submitted an amicus brief in support of Plaintiffs.
• Dismissal entered — Gribbon et al. v. Musk (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00422 — Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the action.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation of Government Employees, et al. v. Office of Personnel Management et al (S.D.N.Y.) 1:25-cv-01237 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' preliminary injunction motion, arguing Plaintiffs' submissions in support of their motion rely on inadmissible evidence.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Open Technology Fund v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00840 — Plaintiff filed a reply in support of its preliminary injunction motion, claiming that the court has jurisdiction, Plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, and the balance of equities and public interest favor granting the preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Project on Government Oversight, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00527 — Plaintiff filed a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction and supporting memorandum . Plaintiff requested that the court order Defendants to collect, retain, and preserve their records pursuant to a FRA-compliant recordkeeping policy.
• Case update — Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00951 — Following a hearing, Judge Xinis ordered the unsealing of Secretary Rubio's Declaration asserting state secrets and for the government to supplement the Declaration by May 23.
• Case update — Center for Taxpayer Rights v. IRS (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00457 — Plaintiff filed an amended complaint .
• Case update — Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts v. Bessent (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-12822 — Plaintiffs amended their complaint to be a class action complaint for others similarly situated.
• Case update — Doe et al v. EEOC (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01124 — State Attorneys General submitted an amicus brief in support of Plaintiffs.
• Case update — Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01270 — Plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion for a renewed preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Jones v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00401 — Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction, on the grounds that the DEIA ban and mass layoffs are causing the suspension and degradation of services and will cause irreparable harm to Plaintiffs.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Assistance and Education Program, et al, v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted the joint motion to stay the appellate proceedings until the resolution of United States v. Skrmetti or until further order from the court. SCOTUS issued its decision in Skrmetti on June 18, holding that the Tennessee law prohibiting medical treatments for transgender minors is not subject to heightened scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and satisfies rational basis review.
• Stay motion decided — State of Washington et al. v. Donald J. Trump et al. (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00244 — The D.C. Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, granted the Defendants' stay pending appeal , which was extended until Oct. 27, 2025.
• Stay pending appeal decided — National Treasury Employees Union v Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00935 — Defendants filed their opposition to Plaintiffs' motion for a summary judgment, stressing Plaintiffs lack standing to bring the lawsuit.

Supporting reports

• Harvard University sues Trump administration over funding threats — Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to threats of cutting $9 billion in federal funding. The administration's demands, which Harvard's president Alan Garber described as "unlawful," aimed to combat alleged antisemitism. This legal action is part of a broader pushback by universities against what they perceive as government overreach and political interference in higher education. The lawsuit follows other legal challenges by higher education associations and organizations representing faculty, including actions against the revocation of student visas and detention of international students.

Supporting reports

• Trump demands Harvard lose tax-exempt status — After Harvard defied the Trump administration's attempt to take over the school, Trump posted on social media demanding Harvard lose its tax-exempt status, calling it a "Political Entity" pushing "political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting 'Sickness.'" Trump stated that "Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST."
• IRS plans to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status — The Internal Revenue Service is planning to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status following Trump's public demand. Law professor Sam Brunson noted this action is illegal, citing a 1998 law explicitly prohibiting the President from directly or indirectly requesting the IRS start or end an audit or investigation of a taxpayer. Brunson stated Harvard has not violated its tax-exempt status requirements. The Wall Street Journal editorial board noted the Supreme Court has repeatedly held the government may not use federal benefits or funds to coerce parties to surrender constitutional rights.
• IRS Plans to Revoke Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reportedly planning to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status following the institution's defiance of the Trump administration's directives. Legal experts have noted that this action would be illegal, as the President cannot direct the IRS to initiate such investigations.

Supporting reports

• Harvard University rejected Trump administration's demands for control over university governance — Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demand to regulate the "intellectual and civil rights conditions" at Harvard, including its governance, admissions, programs, and extracurricular activities, in exchange for continuation of $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract. Harvard's lawyers stated that the university would not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights and that neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government. Harvard refused to accept the government's terms as an agreement in principle.
• Harvard University rejects Trump administration demands and asserts constitutional limits on executive authority — Harvard University president Alan Garber and the university's legal counsel (William Burck and Robert Hur) formally rejected the Trump administration's 11 April demand letter, asserting that the government's conditions violated the First Amendment and exceeded lawful executive authority. Garber stated the demands represented "direct governmental regulation of the 'intellectual conditions' at Harvard" and that "no government – regardless of which party is in power – should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue."
• Harvard University launched public defense of federally funded medical research — Harvard University converted its website into a defense of medical research funded by federal grants that the Trump administration is threatening to withhold. The website explains advances Harvard researchers have made in cancer research, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity and diabetes, infectious diseases, and organs and transplantation, highlighting researchers, labs, and scientific breakthroughs. Harvard President Alan Garber issued a statement defending "the promise of higher education" and the freedom of thought and inquiry that has enabled universities to contribute to a free society.
• Harvard University Rejects Administration's Demands — Harvard University publicly rejected the Trump administration's demands to regulate its governance and programs in exchange for federal funding. The university's legal team stated that it would not surrender its independence or constitutional rights, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom.

Supporting reports

• Harvard University rejected Trump administration demand for control over university governance — On April 11, 2025, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demand to regulate "intellectual and civil rights conditions" at Harvard, including its governance, admissions, programs, and extracurricular activities, in exchange for continuation of $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract. Harvard's lawyers stated the university would not surrender its independence or relinquish constitutional rights and would not allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order stopping enforcement of state climate laws — On April 8, 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to "stop the enforcement" of state climate laws, which his administration suggested are unconstitutional or unenforceable. The order states "These State laws and policies are fundamentally irreconcilable with my Administration's objective to unleash American energy. They should not stand." The action represents Trump's attempt to preempt state climate initiatives.
• Trump administration freezes $790 million in federal funding to Northwestern University — The Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding to Northwestern University as part of broader crackdowns on students and faculty members across US colleges who have expressed opposition to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The freeze targeted the university in response to activism and legal representation related to pro-Palestinian causes.
• White House freezes federal funding for Cornell and Northwestern universities — The Trump administration froze over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University, citing investigations into alleged "failure to protect Jewish students" following pro-Palestinian campus protests. The freeze includes grants and contracts from federal departments of health, education, agriculture, and defense. Cornell received over 75 stop-work orders from the Department of Defense affecting research in defense, cybersecurity, health, and cancer. The action follows warning letters sent to 60 universities in early March and comes after Cornell's president published a defiant op-ed defending academic freedom and free discourse.
• Princeton University reports suspension of federal research grants — Princeton University announced that dozens of its federal research grants were suspended over allegations that the university promoted antisemitism. This action follows similar defunding threats against Columbia and Harvard, representing a coordinated campaign against major research institutions.
• Trump administration announces cancellation of $400 million in grants and loans to Columbia University — The Trump administration announced the cancellation of $400 million in grants and loans to Columbia University, alleging the school failed to protect students from antisemitic harassment. In response, Columbia officials capitulated to a series of changes demanded by federal officials, sparking outrage from advocates and prompting at least one prominent academic to leave the institution.
• Trump administration announces plan to review $9 billion in Harvard University contracts and grants — The Trump administration announced a plan to review approximately $9 billion in contracts and multiyear grants to Harvard University over accusations that the university failed to protect Jewish students and promoted "divisive ideologies over free inquiry." The action follows the defunding of Columbia University and represents escalating pressure on major research institutions.
• Trump administration considers consent decree to place Columbia University under federal control — The Trump administration is reportedly considering placing Columbia University under a legally binding consent decree, a dramatic escalation following the university's acceptance of administration-demanded changes as a condition for restoring $400 million in suspended federal grants and contracts. The proposal originates from the administration's antisemitism taskforce, composed partly of Justice Department lawyers who question Columbia's good faith compliance. If Columbia resists, the Justice Department would need to present its case in court, risking prolonged litigation and continued funding withholding.
• Trump administration freezes nearly $1 billion in federal funding from Cornell University — During a cabinet meeting, President Trump pressed Education Secretary Linda McMahon on withholding federal funds from universities deemed "not behaving." McMahon confirmed the administration has frozen nearly $1 billion in funding from Cornell University and is investigating multiple institutions while holding back grant money pending compliance discussions with university presidents.
• Trump administration pauses $175 million in federal funding to University of Pennsylvania — The Trump administration paused $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its inclusion of transgender athletes in women's college sports. This action represents another instance of defunding universities over policies the administration opposes.
• Trump administration demands Harvard surrender academic freedoms; Harvard refuses; administration retaliates by freezing $2.2bn in grants — The Trump administration (Departments of Education, HHS, and GSA) issued an 11 April demand letter to Harvard University president Alan Garber requiring sweeping reforms including installation of "viewpoint-diverse" faculty, elimination of DEI programs, and adoption of specific antisemitism definitions as conditions for continued federal funding. Harvard's legal team, citing First Amendment violations and constitutional limits on executive authority, rejected the demands as governmental overreach into academic freedom. Within hours, the administration froze $2.2bn in grants and a $60m contract in retaliation.
• Trump administration withheld Harvard University federal funding pending government control of admissions and intellectual content — On April 11, the Trump administration announced it would withhold $2.2 billion in grants already awarded and a $60 million contract from Harvard University unless the university permitted the federal government to control its admissions and intellectual content. The administration framed the action as addressing antisemitism. On April 22, Harvard filed suit against the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Energy, and Defense, the General Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, NASA, and their leaders, alleging violation of the First Amendment and abuse of legal authority.
• White House claims letter to Harvard withholding federal funds was "unauthorized" — On Friday, April 18, the administration claimed that a letter sent to Harvard University on April 11 withholding federal grants until the university granted administration officials power over the school's students and programs was "unauthorized." However, the White House simultaneously stated it was standing by the letter. The letter was signed by three federal officials, placed on official letterhead, and sent from the email of a senior federal official. Harvard responded by pointing out the letter's official provenance and noting that the government's actions had "real-life consequences."
• Harvard University rejected Trump administration demand for control over university governance — On April 11, 2025, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demand to regulate "intellectual and civil rights conditions" at Harvard, including its governance, admissions, programs, and extracurricular activities, in exchange for continuation of $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract. Harvard's lawyers stated the university would not surrender its independence or relinquish constitutional rights and would not allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.

Supporting reports

• American Association of University Professors and American Federation of Teachers sue Trump administration over Columbia funding cancellation — The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), two unions representing faculty, filed suit against the Trump administration on behalf of their members at Columbia University in response to the $400 million federal funding cancellation. The lawsuit challenges the administration's use of funding withdrawal as leverage to compel the university to suppress pro-Palestinian speech and academic activity. The legal action represents organized faculty resistance to the federal coercion of academic institutions.

Supporting reports

• RFK Jr announces 10,000 job cuts and restructuring of HHS — Robert F Kennedy Jr, US Health Secretary, announced the elimination of approximately 10,000 jobs from the Department of Health and Human Services' 82,000-person workforce, combined with previous cuts bringing total losses to roughly 20,000 workers. The restructuring includes closing half of HHS's regional offices, consolidating 28 branches into 15 new divisions, and creating a new agency called the "administration for a healthy America." Specific cuts target the FDA (3,500 employees), CDC (2,400), NIH (1,200), and CMS (300). Kennedy characterized the cuts as streamlining bureaucracy and realigning the department with new priorities.
• Robert F Kennedy Jr announces 20,000 HHS layoffs — Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced the Department of Health and Human Services will lay off approximately 20,000 workers—nearly 25% of its 82,000-person workforce—and consolidate 28 branches into 15. The cuts affect agencies including the CDC, NIH, CMS, and FDA. Health experts and Democratic senators warn the layoffs will impair pandemic preparedness and enable privatization of critical public health services, exacerbating health inequalities and undermining disease surveillance and emergency response capacity.
• HHS announces additional workforce reductions — The Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to cut 10,000 employees in addition to 10,000 who have already departed and more than 5,000 probationary workers fired in the previous month. The cuts include 3,500 full-time employees from the Food and Drug Administration and 2,400 employees from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, further degrading public health agency capacity.
• Trump administration implements workforce reductions across federal agencies — Internal White House documents obtained by the Washington Post detail planned employee cuts ranging from 8% to 50% across federal agencies. The Department of Housing and Urban Development faces a 50% workforce reduction, the Interior Department 25%, the IRS approximately one-third, the Justice Department 8%, the National Science Foundation 28%, the Commerce Department 30%, and the Small Business Administration 43%. These cuts follow earlier dismissals of approximately 20,000 IRS employees, particularly in enforcement divisions.
• Trump administration withholds federal funding from Columbia University over antisemitism concerns — The Trump administration withheld $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University, citing antisemitism concerns, until the university complied with administration demands. After Columbia's leadership agreed to changes, administration officials stated the modifications were only "early steps" and warned that other universities "should expect the same level of scrutiny and swiftness of action if they don't act to protect their students and stop anti-Semitic behavior on campus."

Supporting reports

• Justice Department announces Title VII investigation of University of California for alleged antisemitic hostile work environment — The Department of Justice announced a civil pattern-or-practice investigation into the University of California under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC engaged in discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin against professors, staff, and employees by allowing an antisemitic hostile work environment on its campuses. The investigation was announced by the Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism and will be conducted jointly with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• US Department of Justice investigates University of California for alleged antisemitism — The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched an investigation into the University of California (UC) system to determine if it violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation focuses on whether UC engaged in a pattern of discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin by allowing an antisemitic hostile work environment on its campuses. This action follows campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza, which have raised concerns about antisemitic discrimination within the university system.

Supporting reports

• New York governor orders removal of Palestinian studies job posting at CUNY — New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the City University of New York (CUNY) to remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies professor role at Hunter College. The job listing sought a scholar with a critical perspective on issues related to Palestine. Hochul's directive was supported by CUNY's chancellor and board chair, who found the language divisive. The faculty and staff union condemned the removal as a violation of academic freedom. The job posting was part of a "cluster hire" for two positions and has since been taken down.
• New York Governor orders removal of job posting — On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the City University of New York (CUNY) to immediately remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies professor role at Hunter College. This action has been condemned by CUNY's union as a violation of academic freedom. The removal of the job posting has sparked protests against Governor Hochul, planned for Thursday. The order is part of a broader context of increased scrutiny and restrictions on pro-Palestinian activities and academic positions in New York.