Former President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the federal government through executive orders have faced several legal hurdles. This past week, multiple courts blocked key policies, but Trump also secured a significant legal victory.
Buyout Plan for Federal Workers Moves Forward
A federal judge initially blocked Trump’s plan to encourage federal employees to resign through buyouts, citing concerns from labor unions. However, the judge later ruled that the unions did not have legal standing to challenge the policy, allowing the plan to proceed.
Court Blocks Effort to Reduce USAID Workforce
Trump’s attempt to downsize the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been temporarily halted. A federal judge extended a restraining order, questioning whether employees were truly being harmed and requesting more information from the government.
Legal Battles Over Elon Musk’s New Government Office (DOGE)
Elon Musk leads a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but several states are challenging its legality. Courts in New York and Washington, D.C., have temporarily restricted DOGE from accessing sensitive government data while judges review the case. Another judge is considering whether to declare DOGE unconstitutional altogether.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Temporarily Spared
Trump’s administration sought to dismantle the CFPB, but a judge issued a temporary order preventing mass layoffs and data deletions at the agency. A full hearing is scheduled for March.
Trump Defies Court Order on Federal Funding Freeze
A federal judge in Rhode Island accused the Trump administration of ignoring an order to restore frozen federal funds. The judge demanded immediate action after 22 states reported that their funding had not been resumed.
Foreign Aid Freeze Temporarily Halted
Another judge blocked Trump’s freeze on federal grants for foreign aid, citing significant harm to American businesses and nonprofit organizations that rely on these funds.
Cuts to Medical Research Funding Suspended
Trump’s plan to reduce National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding was temporarily halted by a judge in Boston. The decision affects 22 states that sued over the cuts.
Health Data Must Be Restored
A court ruled that health agencies must restore deleted online resources, including HIV prevention and transgender healthcare information.
Transgender Healthcare Ban Blocked
A Maryland judge temporarily stopped Trump’s executive order that would cut federal funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors.
Birthright Citizenship Restrictions Rejected
A judge in New Hampshire blocked Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship, marking the third time courts have ruled against this order.
More Lawsuits Coming
Several new lawsuits were filed last week, including challenges to Trump’s immigration policies and his decision to allow workplace raids at religious institutions. The legal battle over these policies is far from over.
