Over the last few days, federal judges across the country blocked several of Trump’s dictatorial edicts and Elon’s access to Treasury records. More injunctions are coming soon.
- USAID forced resignations: A federal judge in DC on Friday blocked plans to place 2,200 U.S. Agency for International Development employees on leave, dealing Trump and Elon their first big setback in their dismantling of the Agency. “The major reduction in force, as well as the closure of offices, the forced relocation of these individuals were all done in excess of the executive’s authority in violation of the separation of powers,” Karla Gilbride, a lawyer for the unions, said at the hearing.
- FBI: A federal judge in D.C. on Friday barred Trump from publicly naming FBI personnel in its review of Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack prosecutions. FBI agents sued over concerns that the Justice Department or third-parties, such as Elon Musk, could put law enforcement officers at risk if they access and disclose their personal information.
- DOGE: A federal judge in D.C. blocked access to a Treasury Department payments system that Department of Government Efficiency surrogates had burrowed into at the behest of Elon Musk. That personal information includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, birthplaces, home addresses and telephone numbers, email addresses, and bank account information.
- Birthright citizenship: Trump tried to revoke birthright citizenship, guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. However, federal judges in Maryland and Washington issued nationwide permanent injunctions that blocked the Trump order from taking effect. Judge John Coughenour railed against Trump, saying, “It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore.” U.S. District said as he announced his ruling.
- Funding freeze: Two federal judges in Rhode Island and D.C. temporarily blocked a federal aid funding freeze directed by the Trump administration in response to his executive orders. The White House backed off and rescinded the freeze the Office of Management and Budget announced.
- Transgender inmates: Two federal judges blocked the transfer of 16 transgender inmates from being moved into dangerous, all-male prisons and ending their gender-affirming care. One judge said the inmates will likely succeed in arguing the policy is unconstitutional.
More litigation is on the way as Americans lawyer up to fight the orange tyrant in 21 lawsuits, including:
San Francisco sued Trump, alleging ‘authoritarian’ threats against sanctuary cities.
Multiple plaintiffs have sued Trump to stop his anti-DEI edicts in a federal court in Maryland.
A community of immigrants seeks to revoke “expedited removal” to include noncitizens located anywhere in the U.S. who cannot prove they have been continuously present for more than two years. Make the Road New York (MRNY) argues the rule violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, the INA, and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by subjecting individuals to summary deportation without adequate procedural safeguards.
Immigration advocacy groups sued Trump over his ban on asylum access at the southern border, saying the sweeping restrictions illegally put people who are fleeing war and persecution in harm’s way. Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center sued to restore the CBP One app to enable asylum seekers to schedule appointments to request asylum.
As a retired trial lawyer, I am proud to see the courts standing up against America’s tin dictator. Lex supra omni!