We’re only halfway through the first 100 days with our new President and his administration, and the number of lawsuits filed against them is historic. The flurry of new executive orders and cabinet-level decisions have led to over 40 suits, and it’s only early March. By the hour and by the day, new government actions are met with legal clashes and complaints filed in court.
These lawsuits allege violations of Constitutional rights as well as legal battles across the landscape of law and politics. In many instances, federal judges have been pausing these White House actions from going into effect while the legal challenges proceed. It is expected many of these lawsuits may soon arrive at the Supreme Court, with its conservative majority including three justices appointed by Trump, because the Trump administration is asking the Court to intervene on numerous occasions.
The High Court has already begun to share its opinions regarding a few suits filed against the current administration. The first instance, challenging a district court judge’s order to unblock the congressionally approved funding for U.S.A.I.D., resulted in the Supreme Court upholding the lower court ruling.
In the case of Dellinger v. Bessent which sought to “unfire” a government watchdog (the Special Counsel of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel) who was summarily dismissed by the administration, the Justices at first declined to block a lower court judge’s temporary injunction leaving Dellinger in office while the case was pending. That restraining order was overturned in the Court of Appeals, and Dellinger has since given up his challenge which was headed to the Supreme Court.
Here is our roundup of some of the most notable lawsuits challenging administration actions as they exist today.
Ending Birthright Citizenship – This Executive Order has been subjected to preliminary injunctions in several lawsuits, including an appellate ruling keeping the order from going into effect indefinitely.
Quakers Lawsuit to Keep ICE Raids out of “Safe” Worship Spaces – This attempted policy reversal has been temporarily blocked, protecting the status of houses of worship as sanctuaries against ICE raids.
Capital Riot Pardons – A team of US lawyers is planning to file suit on behalf of pardoned rioters who claim mistreatment at the hands of authorities.
Civil Service Employees Fired – With thousands of federal workers either fired or put on leave based on little or no rationale and entire agencies under the chopping block, individuals and unions have brought suit against Trump and various government officials. In most cases, the firings have been temporarily halted, blocked or reversed, but the government will likely appeal.
Budget Freezes – Over a dozen cases are challenging the freezing of trillions of dollars in federal funding. In many cases, judges have ordered the funds to be unfrozen while legal proceedings are underway, but the administration in some cases appears to be bucking those orders.
Trans Rights –Trump Executive Orders and administration moves in opposition to transgender rights regarding healthcare and military service have been the subject of over half a dozen lawsuits, with judges in most cases issuing preliminary injunctions to keep the orders from going into effect until the cases can be heard.
DOGE – Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to keep DOGE and Musk from accessing sensitive information and government systems such as the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. In D.C., a judge refused to order a block while in NYC, a judge responded to a suit by 19 Democratic Attorney Generals by ordering a block.
Climate Policy – The Supreme Court declined to hear Republican states’ argument to end lawsuits against energy companies due to their responsibility for global warming.
Freedom of the Press – The Associated Press has sued to protest being locked out of White House press events. The judge in the case denied the AP’s request for a temporary restraining order. The next hearing is scheduled near the end of March when the AP will fight for speech and press freedoms.
Erased Data on CDC Website – A federal judge ordered the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sites to be “sent back” to their condition as of January 30, 2025 – before their website was scrubbed.
Censoring the Federal Election Commission – A February Executive Order issued by President Trump prohibits federal workers from expressing legal opinions different from that of the Attorney General. The Democratic National Committee has sued to prevent application of the order to employees at the Federal Election Commission, who are intended to be bipartisan and independent.
DEI Contract Ban – Trump’s Executive Order requiring the termination of “DEI” contracts and grants has been halted by a federal court– for now.
Withholding of Funding to Schools/universities That Allow Protests – Lawsuits are currently being considered and filed regarding the withdrawal of federal funding from Columbia University and potentially other campuses nationwide for political reasons.
