A federal judge ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration failed to adhere to a restraining order aimed at preventing the suspension of congressionally approved foreign aid funds. This ruling adds to a series of legal battles as Democrats and other opponents challenge Trump and cost-cutting advocate Elon Musk in court.
– Feb. 20: U.S. District Judge Amir Ali issued a filing confirming that the Trump administration did not comply with a temporary restraining order prohibiting the suspension of foreign aid funds until March 10. The judge refrained from holding the administration in contempt, noting their awareness of the need for “prompt compliance with the order.”
– Feb. 20: U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper denied a request from the National Treasury Employees’ Union and three other unions seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent further staff layoffs by the Trump administration. Cooper cited a lack of jurisdiction over the claims but acknowledged the unions’ plight, stressing the importance of impartial legal decisions.
– Feb. 19: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals turned down an emergency appeal from the Trump administration attempting to overturn a Seattle federal court’s ruling that paused Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Judges remarked on the administration’s weak case for success in the appeal.
– Feb. 19: The National Urban League, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Trump and numerous federal agencies concerning three executive orders perceived to undermine diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, arguing these orders violated constitutional rights.
– Feb. 18: U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected a request from 14 Democratic-led states to immediately inhibit Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing federal employee data or terminating staff, stating that there was no evidence of imminent harm to justify immediate intervention.
– Feb. 18: A federal judge reinstated Cathy Harris as chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board, ruling that Trump likely overstepped his authority in dismissing her, as her lawsuit against her firing is moving forward.
– Feb. 17: Judge Randolph Moss declined to issue an immediate order preventing DOGE officials from accessing sensitive student loan data after students from the University of California system filed a lawsuit against Musk and DOGE.
– Feb. 16: The Treasury Department sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to overturn a lower court ruling blocking Trump’s firing of government ethics watchdog Hampton Dellinger, which was upheld by an appeals court.
– Feb. 14: U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled in favor of Musk and DOGE, denying a restraining order that would restrict the department’s access to information held by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies, while acknowledging concerns about their data access.
– Feb. 13: A federal judge mandated the Trump administration to lift its suspension on foreign aid, criticizing the lack of justification for the broad suspension of funds.
– Feb. 13: Judge Brendan A. Hurson blocked Trump’s directives limiting transgender health care for minors in a decision favoring an ongoing lawsuit.
– Feb. 13: Trump’s effort to rescind birthright citizenship was halted again by a federal judge in response to a lawsuit from an expectant mother with Temporary Protected Status.
– Feb. 13: Trump-appointed District Judge Carl Nichols reiterated a previous block on putting 2,200 USAID employees on leave, arguing that the administration’s actions were unconstitutional.
– Feb. 13: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro filed a lawsuit, claiming the Trump administration has withheld over $2 billion in federal funds owed to the state following a previous order lifting a proposed spending freeze.
– Feb. 12: U.S. District Judge George O’Toole revoked a previous order delaying a government buyout offer’s deadline, ruling labor unions lacked standing for their challenge.
– Feb. 12: Eight former inspectors general challenged their firings, claiming violations of the legal notice requirement prior to dismissal.
– Feb. 11: A court upheld a halt on the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding, as multiple judges previously blocked the funding pause and mandated restoration of the funds.
– Feb. 11: District Judge John D. Bates ordered federal agencies to restore removed health-related data on their websites in response to a lawsuit contending the data was improperly eliminated.
– Feb. 11: A lawsuit was initiated by NGOs and small businesses dependent on American foreign aid against the Trump administration… (content truncated)
