Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Judge Merryday dismissed Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times — U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, threw out the defamation complaint filed by President Trump on September 15 against the New York Times. The judge called the complaint "decidedly improper and impermissible" and criticized Trump's legal team for using the lawsuit as a public forum for abusive language. The complaint contained eighty pages of praise for Trump and allegations against the Times before two defamation counts. Merryday imposed a forty-page limit on any amended complaint.
• Federal judge dismisses Trump's $15 billion libel lawsuit against New York Times — US District Judge Steven Merryday in Florida dismissed President Trump's $15 billion libel and defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, ruling that the complaint lacked "any legitimate legal claims." Merryday, a Bush appointee, gave Trump 28 days to file a revised complaint and ridiculed the original filing, stating that a complaint is not "a public forum for vituperation and invective" or "a megaphone for public relations."
• Federal judge tossed Trump's defamation lawsuit against New York Times — A federal judge dismissed Trump's defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, calling the complaint "improper and impermissible" and stating that "a complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective — not a protected platform to rage against an adversary." The judge ordered any revised complaint be limited to 40 pages.

Supporting reports

• Federal judges block Trump administration deportations of Guatemalan children and Venezuelan TPS holders — A federal judge in Washington DC ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations of Guatemalan unaccompanied minors with active immigration cases, finding the administration's claim that parents requested deportation "crumbled like a house of cards." Separately, a three-judge appellate panel rejected the administration's attempt to pause a lower court ruling that found Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lacked authority to end Temporary Protected Status for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans. The rulings protect vulnerable populations from forced removal.
• Federal judge blocks majority of Trump's March 25 election executive order — A federal judge blocked the majority of Trump's March 25 executive order "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections" after the order faced multiple legal challenges. The order had attempted to impose citizenship documentation requirements, withhold federal funding from states, and decertify voting machines.

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• US Supreme Court schedules oral arguments on Trump tariff legality — The US Supreme Court announced it will hear oral arguments on November 5, 2025, regarding the legality of President Trump's sweeping global tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A federal appeals court had ruled in August that Trump overstepped his authority by using a law meant for emergencies to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval. The case was placed on a fast track. A Supreme Court defeat could halve the current average US effective tariff rate and force repayment of tens of billions in collected tariffs.

Supporting reports

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejects Trump administration stay request on Venezuelan TPS ruling — The San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause a September 5 ruling by Judge Chen that found Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lacked authority to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans. The three-judge panel stated that vacating TPS "threw the future of these Venezuelan citizens into disarray, and exposed them to a substantial risk of wrongful removal, separation from their families, and loss of employment." The administration indicated it may appeal to the Supreme Court.

Supporting reports

• US appeals court blocks Trump's removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to allow President Trump to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, upholding a lower court's temporary block. Trump had claimed Cook committed mortgage fraud before taking office; Cook denies the allegations and argues they are pretextual retaliation for her monetary policy stance. The 2-1 decision (Biden appointees Garcia and Childs in majority; Trump appointee Katsas dissenting) preserves Cook's seat ahead of a Fed policy meeting. The administration signaled intent to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court allows Slaughter firing to proceed pending appeal — The US Supreme Court issued an order allowing Trump's firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter to take effect while the Court agreed to hear full arguments on the merits of the case. The order drew dissents from the three liberal justices, signaling deep disagreement over presidential removal power and independent agency protections.