Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Appeals court judges stay closure order for Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — Two Trump-appointed judges on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of Miami District Judge Kathleen Williams's preliminary injunction ordering closure of "Alligator Alcatraz," a 3,000-capacity immigration detention camp in the Florida Everglades. Williams had ruled the facility's hasty construction breached federal environmental laws. The appeals panel found 2-1 that because Florida initially funded construction with state money, no environmental impact study was required. The stay allowed the facility to resume operations and rapidly refill with detainees after a brief shutdown period in late August.
• Appeals court judge stays closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — Barbara Lagoa, a judge on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, authored a 2-1 majority ruling in September 2025 that stayed (paused) a Miami district judge's order to close "Alligator Alcatraz," a state-run detention camp for undocumented migrants in the Florida Everglades. The ruling reversed the lower court's finding that the DeSantis administration must comply with federal environmental regulations. The facility, criticized for harsh conditions, remains operational. Lagoa's husband, Paul Huck, is a senior attorney at a law firm that has received over $10 million in state contracts from the DeSantis administration, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
• Eleventh Circuit stays federal judge's order to close "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility — A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit voted 2–1 on September 4, 2025, to stay (suspend) a federal district judge's order requiring closure of the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades within 60 days. The stay allows construction and operation to continue while Florida's appeal proceeds. The facility, built by Florida at a cost of approximately $250 million and operated on behalf of ICE, has faced criticism for harsh conditions, abuse allegations, denial of due process, and environmental damage.

Supporting reports

• Federal appeals court rules Trump exceeded presidential authority in imposing sweeping tariffs — A federal appeals court in Washington DC issued a 7-4 ruling on August 30, 2025, striking down Trump's tariffs imposed on April 2 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court found the tariffs "unbounded in scope, amount and duration" and beyond the president's legal authority, ruling that Congress did not intend IEEPA to grant unlimited tariff power. The decision upheld a May trade court ruling but delayed implementation until October 14 to allow Trump to appeal to the Supreme Court.
• Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs — A federal appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling that struck down President Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs, stating that Congress did not grant the president such broad authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The decision will take effect on October 14, allowing the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
• Federal court rules Trump lacked legal authority for most tariffs — A federal court ruled that Trump did not have legal authority to issue most of his tariffs. Attorney General Pam Bondi responded by stating that Trump found a national emergency and took action under the law, and that the judges were interfering with the president's role in foreign policy. The DOJ announced it will appeal the decision.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge allows 9/11 case against Saudi Arabia to proceed to trial — Federal Judge George B Daniels in New York rejected Saudi Arabia's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims alleging Saudi government support for the hijackers. Daniels ruled the plaintiffs' claims legally sufficient to proceed to trial, finding reasonable evidence that Saudi officials Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy, along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provided support to al-Qaeda members who participated in the attacks. The case will now advance toward full trial proceedings.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit against Maryland judges over deportation orders — US District Judge Thomas Cullen (Virginia Western District, Trump-nominated) dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against all 15 judges of Maryland's federal district court. The administration had challenged an order by Maryland's chief judge temporarily barring deportations for two business days if immigrants filed detention challenges. Cullen ruled the judges were "absolutely immune" from such suits and that the administration should have appealed through proper legal channels instead. Cullen also criticized the administration's public attacks on federal judges nationwide as "unprecedented and unfortunate."

Supporting reports

• Grand jury declines to indict Sean Charles Dunn in sandwich-throwing case — A federal grand jury refused to approve an indictment against Sean Charles Dunn, 37, a former DOJ paralegal accused of throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection officer during a protest against Trump's deployment of armed troops in Washington DC on August 13. The incident occurred as Dunn confronted the officer, called him and colleagues "fascists," and shouted "I don't want you in my city" before throwing the sandwich and fleeing. The grand jury's refusal to indict signals public objection to the troop deployment and represents a rare rebuke of federal prosecutors.
• Protester not indicted for throwing sandwich at federal troops in DC — A protester who threw a sandwich at federal troops occupying Washington DC was not indicted. The author notes this outcome as "enormously cheering," suggesting it represents a legal or prosecutorial decision not to pursue charges against the individual for the minor act of protest.

Supporting reports

• New York Times reported on law firm deals with Trump — The New York Times reported that two law firms that made deals with Trump to prevent enforcement of executive orders targeting them were connected with the Commerce Department by Trump's personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn about assisting on trade deals as part of their pro bono work for the president's administration.
• Law firms reach agreements with Trump to quash executive orders — The New York Times reported that at least two prominent law firms that reached agreements with Trump to quash executive orders that targeted them have committed to doing pro bono legal work for the Commerce Department, including on trade deals.

Supporting reports

• Nvidia and AMD reached chip export agreement with Trump administration — The Wall Street Journal reported that Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices agreed with the Trump administration to give the US government 15% of revenues from chip sales in China in exchange for export licenses. Legal experts note the arrangement may violate the Constitution's export clause prohibiting taxes or duties on articles exported from any state.

Supporting reports

• US District Judge Reyes signals intent to issue temporary restraining order — During oral arguments Friday, US District Judge Ana C Reyes expressed skepticism of the Trump administration's legal authority to run DC's police force and signaled she would issue a temporary restraining order scaling back the takeover if the administration did not alter the arrangement by Friday evening. Reyes questioned the basis for federal control, stating she did not understand how the president could dictate that the police department "can't do anything unless I say you can."

Supporting reports

• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

Supporting reports

• Bondi issues revised directive on MPD services and immigration enforcement — Attorney General Bondi issued a revised two-page order designating Terry Cole as her "designee" for directing DC to provide Metropolitan Police Department services deemed "necessary and appropriate." The order explicitly included assisting federal immigration enforcement, contradicting DC's sanctuary city policies that restrict local police involvement in immigration matters. The directive also authorized use of MPD officers for federal purposes in emergencies.
• White House and DC agree to scale back police takeover — Following judicial pressure, the Trump administration and DC officials reached an agreement Friday evening to scale back the federal takeover. Under the revised arrangement, Chief Pamela Smith would retain control of the Metropolitan Police Department, with Terry Cole designated as Attorney General Bondi's "designee" for directing specific services. The agreement still permitted the administration to use MPD officers for federal immigration enforcement purposes and in emergencies, contrary to DC's sanctuary city policies.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocked DEI funding cuts to schools and universities — A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with two actions designed to cut federal funding from schools and universities that do not eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, writing that the efforts caused "millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished."
• Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Actions Against DEI Programs — A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting federal funding to schools and universities that do not eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, citing fears of punishment for lawful speech.

Supporting reports

• Judge rejects Trump administration request to unseal Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury transcripts — Federal Judge Paul Engelmayer in New York formally rejected the Trump administration's Department of Justice request to publicly release grand jury transcripts from the Ghislaine Maxwell case. The judge ruled that releasing the transcripts would undermine grand jury secrecy protections and found the materials contained no new information beyond what was already public. Engelmayer characterized the government's motion as a "diversion" rather than a genuine transparency effort, noting the transcripts consisted only of routine law enforcement testimony.
• Federal judge rejected unsealing of Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury testimony — A federal judge rejected the Trump administration's request to unseal grand jury testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case, finding the records not to be of significant historical or public interest and suggesting the government's effort to unseal materials "was aimed not at 'transparency' but at diversion."
• Judge denies request to unseal Maxwell grand jury files — Judge Paul Engelmayer of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied the Trump administration's request to unseal grand jury files related to Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case. The judge criticized the Department of Justice for misleading the public about the potential revelations of the files, stating that the request appeared to be aimed at creating an illusion of transparency rather than genuine disclosure.
• Judge Engelmayer rejects DOJ request to unseal Maxwell grand jury files — Judge Paul Engelmayer of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refused to grant the Trump administration's request to unseal grand jury files from Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case. The judge found that the DOJ's premise—that the materials would reveal meaningful new information about Epstein's and Maxwell's crimes—was "demonstrably false" and noted that the material is already largely public. Judge Engelmayer further observed that the government's motion appeared aimed at "diversion" and "the illusion of" transparency rather than genuine disclosure.

Supporting reports

• Judge Brann considers legality of Habba's appointment — Federal District Judge Matthew Brann of Pennsylvania, to whom Mirigliano's challenge was transferred because New Jersey federal judges had a role in replacing Habba, issued a ruling stating he would not dismiss the charges but would consider whether Habba can legally continue as acting U.S. attorney. Brann expressed skepticism of Trump and the DOJ's maneuvering and concern about the DOJ's expansive legal arguments, noting that the government's position would allow Habba to exercise all powers of a U.S. attorney without statutory limitations.

Supporting reports

• Trump and DOJ execute maneuver to restore Habba as interim U.S. attorney — After Attorney General Bondi fired Desiree Leigh Grace, Trump and the DOJ executed a multistep maneuver to restore Alina Habba to the U.S. attorney position. Habba resigned as interim U.S. attorney, Trump withdrew her nomination before the Senate, Bondi appointed Habba to Grace's former first assistant position and designated her a "special attorney to the attorney general." The DOJ then claimed that Habba would automatically fill the vacant U.S. attorney role for a 210-day term under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, circumventing the judges' selection of Grace and the statutory appointment process.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocked Medicaid defunding provision in Trump tax bill — A federal judge blocked a provision of Trump's tax bill that would have ended Medicaid payments for one year to certain abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, which offers other medical services like contraception, pregnancy tests, and STD testing.

Supporting reports

• Federal Bureau of Prisons transferred Ghislaine Maxwell to minimum-security facility in violation of policy — Officials from the Federal Bureau of Prisons quietly transferred Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker serving a 20-year sentence, from a Florida prison to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. According to the Bureau of Prisons's own designation policy, Maxwell is ineligible for transfer to a minimum-security facility because she is a convicted sex offender. Only the administrator of the Bureau of Prisons Designation and Sentence Computation Center can grant a waiver to this policy. The transfer occurred without public announcement.
• Ghislaine Maxwell transferred to minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas — Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, was transferred from a Florida federal prison to a minimum-security prison camp in Bryan, Texas. According to MSNBC reporting and federal prison records, the Bureau of Prisons waived eligibility rules to facilitate the transfer, as Maxwell was technically ineligible for minimum-security placement. The facility, described as a "luxury" camp by victims' advocates, offers yoga, a fully-stocked gym, gardening, limited perimeter fencing, and other amenities. Prison experts stated they had never seen such a waiver granted for a sex offender before.
• Ghislaine Maxwell transferred to minimum-security facility — Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender, was transferred to a minimum-security facility ("Club Fed"). Trump stated he did not know about the transfer, claiming it is "not an uncommon thing." The source characterizes this as unprecedented, noting that convicted sex offenders are never transferred to minimum-security facilities and that Deputy AG Blanche, Trump's former attorney, would not have approved the transfer without Trump's authorization.

Supporting reports

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

Supporting reports

• Federal judge blocked Medicaid defunding provision for Planned Parenthood — A federal judge temporarily blocked a provision in Trump's recently passed tax and spending bill that would terminate Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and its member organizations for non-abortion health-care services for one year. The preliminary injunction came just hours after Planned Parenthood sued the Trump administration over the provision, arguing it was meant to target the group for providing access to abortion services.

Supporting reports

• Federal court rules Trump's asylum ban proclamation unlawful — US District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that President Trump's proclamation declaring an "invasion" at the US-Mexico border and suspending asylum processing exceeded presidential authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act and Constitution. Trump had signed the proclamation on inauguration day, directing officials to "repel, repatriate, or remove" migrants. Moss found the president lacks authority to unilaterally replace Congress's immigration statutes with an alternative system. The Trump administration has 14 days to seek emergency relief from the federal appeals court; if upheld, the ruling would require the Department of Homeland Security to resume processing asylum claims at the southern border.

Supporting reports

• Settlement reached for wrongful death lawsuit involving Ashli Babbitt — The Biden administration agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ashli Babbitt, a participant in the January 6 insurrection. The settlement will allocate 33% to Judicial Watch and a Virginia lawyer. The Capitol Police Chief expressed disappointment with the DOJ's decision to settle.
• Trump officials reach $5m settlement in January 6 wrongful death suit — The Trump administration has reportedly agreed to a $5 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by police during the January 6, 2021, US Capitol breach. The settlement aims to resolve the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt's estate, which initially sought $30 million in damages. Attorneys for both Babbitt’s family and the federal government informed a judge of the agreement in principle, with a formal update expected by Thursday. The case was initially scheduled for trial in July 2026.
• US Taxpayers to Pay $5 Million Settlement to Ashli Babbitt’s Family — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration reached a $5 million settlement with Ashli Babbitt’s family over her death during the January 6 insurrection. This settlement has implications for law enforcement accountability and public perception of the event.
• DOJ Considers Settlement in Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit — The Department of Justice is reportedly considering a $5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by law enforcement while attempting to breach the Speaker's Lobby during the January 6 Capitol riot. This potential settlement indicates ongoing legal ramifications from the events of that day.

Supporting reports

• Republicans attempt to pass significant budget bill — Republicans in Congress attempted to advance a budget measure dubbed “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” which aimed to extend Trump’s tax cuts at a projected cost of $4.6 trillion over ten years while raising the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill faced opposition and ultimately failed to advance out of the House Budget Committee.
• House Budget Committee passes bill in late-night session — The House Budget Committee passed a budget bill after a late-night session, with some members who previously voted 'No' changing their votes to 'Present.' The bill is set to face further scrutiny in the Rules Committee.
• Republicans criticized for scheduling votes at odd hours — Several Democratic representatives criticized Republicans for scheduling votes on significant legislation during late-night hours, suggesting a lack of transparency and public engagement in the legislative process.
• House Committee Advances Trump’s Tax Cut Bill — On May 18, 2025, a key House committee passed a tax cut and border security package, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, after reaching an agreement with far-right Republicans who had previously stalled its progress. The bill, which aims to extend tax breaks from Trump's first term and increase spending on border security, faces challenges in the full House due to potential opposition from moderates concerned about cuts to climate incentives and healthcare programs. The bill's passage is crucial for Republicans, who need to unite their party to pass it before the Memorial Day deadline.
• House Budget Committee Passes Controversial Bill — The House Budget Committee passed a bill referred to as the “Big, Beautiful Bill” on a party-line vote, with 17 Republicans in favor and 16 Democrats against. The bill includes cuts to Medicaid and extends tax cuts for the wealthy, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will significantly increase the federal deficit. House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated minor modifications would be made, while critics argue the bill is being rushed through Congress without adequate scrutiny.
• House Republicans schedule procedural vote on Trump's bill — House Republicans have scheduled a procedural vote for 1am on Wednesday to advance President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which aims to enact his taxation and immigration priorities. The bill includes making permanent or extending tax cuts, ending taxation of tips and overtime, funding a border wall, and mass deportations. It proposes slashing federal safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP to offset costs, which has caused division among Republicans. The bill's passage is crucial for Trump, but it faces opposition from some lawmakers concerned about its impact on Medicaid and the SALT deduction.
• House Rules Committee to Consider Omnibus Bill — The House Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on May 21, 2025, to discuss a 1,116-page omnibus bill proposed by Republicans that aims to implement significant parts of former President Trump's agenda, including cuts to Medicaid and increased logging on public lands. The bill is being advanced through a budget reconciliation process, which allows it to pass with only Republican votes in the Senate. However, there is notable division among Republicans regarding the proposed Medicaid cuts, which are unpopular among constituents.
• House passes Budget Reconciliation Bill — The House of Representatives passed the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a narrow margin of 215-214, with two Republicans voting against it and one voting present. The bill's passage is significant as it will now move to the Senate, where Republican opposition is anticipated.
• Congressional Republicans pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Congressional Republicans narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a 215-214 vote. The bill aims to permanently extend tax cuts from Trump's first term and introduce new deductions for working-class families, but these benefits will expire in 2028. The bill also includes cuts to social safety net programs, potentially affecting millions of poor and disabled Americans. The legislation is expected to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit by 2034. It now moves to the US Senate for further consideration under the budget reconciliation procedure, which limits Democratic influence.
• House Passes Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act — The House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" act, which enacts President Donald Trump's taxation and spending priorities. The bill includes making permanent the tax cuts from Trump's first term, increasing the standard deduction, and introducing new tax write-offs. It also allocates significant funds for mass deportations and border wall construction, imposes new fees on immigrants seeking asylum, and restricts federal courts from enforcing certain contempt citations. Additionally, it cuts funding for Medicaid and SNAP, phases out green energy incentives, and raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate.
• House Passes Trump's Tax Bill — On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax bill championed by Donald Trump, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation aims to make permanent the tax cuts established in 2017, which primarily benefit wealthy Americans and corporations. The bill also includes cuts to government assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and ends clean energy tax credits. The bill is expected to cost the federal government $4.6 trillion in lost revenue over the next decade, while saving $1 trillion through reduced spending on assistance programs.
• House passes Trump's tax-and-spend bill — On May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a tax-and-spend bill, which extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and makes significant spending reductions, particularly in Medicaid and food assistance programs. The bill passed without any Democratic support and has been criticized for potentially increasing the national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis indicates that the bill would leave 10.9 million more Americans uninsured by 2034. The bill now moves to the Senate, where modifications are expected.
• House passes Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill — The House of Representatives passed a major tax-cut bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aligns with Donald Trump's tax and spending priorities. The bill, passed by a narrow margin of 215-214, includes provisions for tax cuts for individuals and corporations, funding for a border wall, and new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP. It is expected to add $2.3 trillion to the deficit. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Republicans aim to pass it by July 4th.
• House Committee Advances Bill with Steeper Medicaid Cuts — After extensive debate, the House Rules Committee agreed to advance The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes steeper cuts to Medicaid to gain support from far-right Republicans. These cuts are expected to leave at least 9 million people without healthcare coverage, reflecting a significant shift in healthcare policy.
• House of Representatives passes Republicans' megabill — The House of Representatives passed a significant bill by a vote of 215 to 214, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The bill includes substantial cuts to healthcare and nutrition assistance, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that it will result in over 2.7 million households losing benefits. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
• House Rules Committee Begins Hearing on The One Big, Beautiful Bill — The House Rules Committee commenced a hearing on a budget bill dubbed The One Big, Beautiful Bill, which includes significant restrictions on federal courts' authority to hold government officials in contempt for violating court orders. This bill also proposes a $3.8 trillion extension of tax cuts from 2017, primarily benefiting the wealthy and corporations, while cutting federal healthcare and food assistance programs, potentially leaving millions without coverage. The committee moved the bill forward after 22 hours of debate, aiming for a swift vote in the House.
• House Republicans Pass Bill Cutting Medicaid and Medicare — In a late-night session, House Republicans passed a bill that could remove 8 million people from Medicaid, cut Medicare spending, and add $4 trillion to the national debt. The bill also includes tax cuts for the wealthy and funds for the border wall.
• Congressional Budget Office Reports on Impact of Proposed Bill — The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the proposed budget bill will add $2.3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next ten years and will trigger cuts to Medicare due to the Pay-As-You-Go law. These cuts, limited by law to 4%, are expected to total approximately $490 billion from 2027 through 2034. The CBO's findings highlight the bill's potential negative impact on low-income Americans and the healthcare system.
• Proposed Cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — The proposed budget bill includes cuts of about 30% to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would be the largest cut in the program's history. This reduction is projected to cut approximately $300 billion from the program through 2034, affecting over 40 million people, including children and seniors.
• House passes Trump’s budget bill with significant cuts — The House of Representatives passed a budget bill that extends tax cuts for individuals and corporations while implementing funding cuts and new work requirements for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These changes are expected to bar millions from receiving essential benefits, raising concerns among affected workers and advocates. The bill also includes funding for a border wall and facilities for mass deportations.

Supporting reports

• Appeal filed — Abramowitz v. Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00887 — Judge Royce Lamberth granted the Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, issuing the order alongside Widakuswara v. Lake to facilitate appellate review. In granting this motion, Judge Lamberth blocked Defendants from dismantling VOA. Defendants appealed this order to the D.C. Circuit on April 24.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Widakuswara v. Kari Lake (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-01015 — Judge Lamberth issued an order that granted in part and denied in part Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. The memorandum opinion explains the court ordered Defendants to take all necessary steps to return USAGM employees and contractors to their status prior to the EO, restore the grant funding to Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and restore VOA programming. The motion was denied to the extent it relates to RFE/RL and OTF.
• Federal judge ordered Trump administration to restore Voice of America and other news services — U.S. District Judge Carl Lamberth issued a ruling requiring the Trump administration to restore Voice of America and several other federally funded news services that had been shut down. The court found that VOA is funded by Congress, which mandated it provide news to a global audience, and ruled the administration's attempt to disband it constitutes "a direct affront to the power of the legislative branch." The decision may affect other unilateral agency abolitions undertaken by the administration.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court blocks deportations under Alien Enemies Act; federal judges escalate enforcement against Trump administration defiance — The US Supreme Court issued a temporary order early Saturday blocking the federal government from removing detainees held in northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, after lawyers reported detainees received English-only notices with no information on how to challenge deportation. Separately, US District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold the government in contempt for defying orders to halt deportations, and Judge Paula Xinis ordered daily compliance updates after the administration ignored orders to facilitate the return of wrongly deported Kilmar Ábrego García to the United States. The rulings underscore an escalating constitutional conflict over judicial enforcement power.
• Case update — D.B.U. v. Trump (D. Colo.) 1:25-cv-01163 — Petitioners filed a reply in support of their motion for an emergency TRO and requested the Court maintain the TRO due to the government's transfer of detainees under the AEA with less than 24 hours notice.
• Amy Klobuchar calls on Supreme Court to hold Trump officials in contempt for ignoring deportation order — Senator Amy Klobuchar called on the U.S. Supreme Court to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for allegedly ignoring a court order to facilitate the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident the government admitted it deported by mistake to El Salvador. Klobuchar suggested the Court appoint an independent special prosecutor outside the Department of Justice to enforce the rule of law. Her comments followed Justice Samuel Alito's dissent criticizing the Court's decision to block deportations of Venezuelans held in Texas.

Supporting reports

• US Supreme Court orders temporary halt to deportations of Venezuelan men under Alien Enemies Act — The US Supreme Court issued an emergency order early Saturday directing the Trump administration to temporarily halt deportations of Venezuelan men held in ICE custody, particularly at the Bluebonnet detention center in Texas. The ACLU had filed an emergency motion Friday arguing that dozens of detainees classified as Tren de Aragua gang members faced imminent removal without judicial review previously mandated by the Court. The order requires the government to cease removals pending further court direction. Justices Thomas and Alito dissented.
• Supreme Court blocks deportations under Alien Enemies Act; Alito and Thomas dissent — Early Saturday morning, April 19, the Supreme Court issued an emergency order blocking the Trump administration from deporting a group of undocumented Venezuelans under the authority of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The men had already been loaded onto buses heading to an airplane when the Court intervened. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. The Court issued its decision without waiting for the dissenters to finish writing, signaling urgency and lack of confidence in the government's legal compliance.
• Case update — W.M.M. v. Trump (a.k.a. A.A.R.P. v. Trump) (N.D. Tex.) 1:25-cv-00059 — The Supreme Court issued a stay writing, “The Government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this Court.” Justice Alito and Thomas dissented.
• SCOTUS stays removal of detainees in A.A.R.P. v. Trump pending Fifth Circuit action — The Supreme Court issued an order in the pending case A.A.R.P. et al. v. Trump (Docket 24A1007), in which a putative class of detainees sought an injunction against removal under the Alien Enemies Act. The Court directed the Government not to remove any member of the putative class from the United States pending further order, invited the Solicitor General to file a response after Fifth Circuit action, and noted that Justices Thomas and Alito dissented from the order.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court temporarily blocked Trump administration deportations to El Salvador — The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting another group of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador's mega-prison under the Alien Enemies Act. The order halted the administration's effort to use the controversial act to remove immigrants to a third country without due process.