This public resource tracks legal challenges to Trump administration actions. If you think we are missing anything, you can email us at lte@justsecurity.org. Special thanks to Just Security Student Staff Editors Anna Braverman, Isaac Buck, Rick Da, Charlotte Kahan, and Jeremy Venook, and to Matthew Fouracre and Nour Soubani.
The Tracker is part of the Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of the Trump Administration’s Executive Actions. Readers may also be interested in signing up for our free Early Edition roundup of news and our end-of-day newsletter with Just Security articles from the day (We respect your privacy. We do not use your email address for any other purpose except to automatically send you the requested email.)
The Tracker was first published on Jan. 29, 2025 and is continually updated. Last updated March 1, 2025.
Total number of cases currently tracked: 95
| Topic | Executive Action | Case Name | Complaint | Date Filed | Case Summary | Last Update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support v. Donald J. Trump (D.N.H.) Case No. 1:25-cv-38 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on the basis that people in the United States illegally are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” The ACLU sued the Trump administration on behalf of individuals in New Hampshire who would have their childrens’ citizenship revoked. The ACLU argues that the plain text of the 14th Amendment, as confirmed in U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), explicitly grants birthright citizenship for all people born in the United States. Update 1: On Feb. 10, 2025, Judge Joseph N. Laplante issued a preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-10 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | O. Doe; Brazilian Worker Center, Inc; La Colaborativa v. Donald J. Trump et al (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10135-LTS | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on the basis that people in the United States illegally are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” A group of pregnant women whose children would not receive citizenship sued; the plaintiff identified as “O. Doe” lives in Massachusetts and has temporary protected status in the United States. The suit argues that the plain text of the 14th Amendment, as confirmed in U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), explicitly grants birthright citizenship for all people born in the United States. Update 1: On Feb. 13, Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an opinion granting a preliminary injunction enjoining the government from implementing and enforcing Executive Order No. 14,160, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” against plaintiff O. Doe, or any member of La Colaborativa or Brazilian Worker Center. Update 2: On Feb. 19, Defendants submitted a notice of appeal to the First Circuit. | 2025-02-19 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | State of New Jersey et al v. Donald J. Trump et al (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10139 | Complaint | Jan. 21, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on the basis that people in the United States illegally are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” The attorneys general of 22 states, the District of Columbia, and the City of San Francisco sued to protect residents who would lose their citizenship under the executive order. The suit argues that the plain text of the 14th Amendment, as confirmed in U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), explicitly grants birthright citizenship for all people born in the United States. Update 1: On Feb. 13, Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued an opinion granting a preliminary injunction enjoining the government from implementing and enforcing Executive Order No. 14,160, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” Update 2: On Feb. 19, the Defendants submitted a notice of appeal to the First Circuit, and a motion to stay the district court order on appeal. Update 3: On Feb. 26, Judge Sorokin denied defendants’ motion to stay the preliminary injunction pending resolution of their appeal. | 2025-02-26 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | Casa v. Donald Trump (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00201-DLB | Complaint | Jan. 21, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on the basis that people in the United States illegally are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” The plaintiffs, including immigrant rights organizations CASA and ASAP, as well as individual immigrant parents, argue that the Executive Order violates the Fourteenth Amendment and federal statute 8 U.S.C. § 1401(a), both of which guarantee citizenship to all persons born in the U.S. The complaint asserts that the executive order exceeds presidential authority and causes irreparable harm by stripping constitutionally protected rights from children born to immigrants (e.g., the right to remain in the United States, access public benefits, and participate fully in civic life) and destabilizes their families, potentially leaving children stateless and separating them from their parents. Update 1: On Feb. 5, 2025, Judge Deborah Boardman issued an opinion granting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary nationwide injunction blocking implementation of the birthright citizenship Executive Order. | 2025-02-05 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | Franco Aleman et al. v. Trump et al. (W.D. Wash.) Case No. 2:25-cv-00163-JCC | Complaint | Jan. 24, 2025 | Plaintiffs are non-citizen pregnant women whose due dates are after the implementation date of the Executive Order eliminating birthright citizenship. Plaintiffs bring this suit as a class action on behalf of all others similarly situated. They allege that the EO is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment and seek an injunction to enjoin Defendants from enforcing the EO. Update 1: On Jan. 27, State of Washington et al v. Donald J. Trump (complaint) was consolidated with this case. | 2025-01-27 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | State of Washington et al v. Donald J. Trump et al (W.D. Wash.) Case No. 2:25-cv-00127-JCC | Complaint | Jan. 21, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants on the basis that people in the United States illegally are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Four states sued to protect residents who would lose their citizenship under the executive order. The suit argues that the plain text of the 14th Amendment, as confirmed in U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), explicitly grants birthright citizenship for all people born in the United States. Update 1: On Jan. 23, 2025, Judge John Coughenour of the Western District of Washington issued a temporary restraining order against the Executive Order. Update 2: On Jan. 27, Franco Aleman v. Trump (complaint) was consolidated with this case. Update 3: On Feb. 6, Judge Coughenour issued an opinion granting the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction enjoining implementation of the Executive Order. Update 4: On Feb. 6, defendants appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court (case no. 25-807). Update 5: On Feb. 12, defendants made an emergency motion to stay the district court’s injunction. Update 6: On Feb. 19, the Ninth Circuit issued an order denying the government’s emergency motion to stay the district court’s injunction and leaving the existing briefing schedule unchanged. | 2025-02-19 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates v. Marco Rubio et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00287 | Complaint | Jan. 30, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and for the children of parents on lawful temporary visas on the basis that they are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. OCA sued Marco Rubio and the heads of other departments and agencies on behalf of at least two pregnant women expected to give birth to children denied citizenship by the order. Both women reside in the United States on lawful, temporary, nonimmigrant visas. OCA argues that the order violates the plain text of the Fourteenth Amendment, statutes (8 U.S.C. § 1401 et seq.), and the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2). The suit identifies an injured “subclass” of “Targeted Children” denied the privileges and public benefits afforded to U.S. citizens, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. | 2025-01-31 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | County of Santa Clara v. Trump, et al (N.D. Cal.) Case No. 5:25-cv-00981 | Complaint | Jan. 30, 2025 | Trump’s executive order seeks to revoke birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants and for the children of parents on lawful temporary visas on the basis that they are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. The County of Santa Clara sued to protect residents who would lose their citizenship or whose U.S.-born children will not receive citizenship and to prevent administrative burdens and loss of tax revenues associated with that prospective loss of citizenship. Santa Clara argues that the order violates the plain text of the Fourteenth Amendment, statutes (8 U.S.C. § 1401 et seq.), and the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2), and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. | 2025-01-31 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | Le v. Trump (C.D. Cal.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00104 | Complaint (under seal per Privacy Act) | Jan. 20, 2025 | A birthright citizenship case under seal. On Jan. 24, 2025, Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, upon joint agreement by the parties, held briefing in abeyance pending the TRO and preliminary injunction litigation in Washington v. Trump. | 2025-01-24 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Birthright Citizenship (Executive Order 14160) | New York Immigration Coalition v. Trump et al. (S.D.N.Y.) Case No. 1:25-cv-01309 | Complaint | Feb. 13, 2025 | Plaintiffs are a nonprofit organization as well as a Venezuelan national, J.V., who has Temporary Protected Status and a pending asylum petition. She is five months pregnant. Plaintiffs allege that the EO violates 8 U.S.C. § 1401(a) and the Citizenship and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Plaintiffs also seek a permanent injunction against enforcement of the EO. | 2025-02-13 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Immigration policy — punishment of sanctuary cities and states (Executive Order 14159) (DOJ “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives” (Feb. 5, 2025)) | Organized Communities Against Deportations et al v. Benjamine Huffman (Acting Secretary of Homeland Security) et al (N.D. Ill.) Case No. 25-cv-868 | Complaint | Jan. 25, 2025 | Acting Attorney General Benjamine Huffman issued policy guidance that, among other immigration-related policies, instructs the Civil Division of the Department of Justice “to identify state and local laws, policies, and activities that are inconsistent with Executive Branch immigration initiatives and, where appropriate, to take legal action to challenge such laws.” The plaintiffs, Chicago-based immigrant-advocacy organizations, allege that the guidance, and subsequent raids “specifically for the purpose of ending the Plaintiffs’ Sanctuary City advocacy and movement building,” violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the First Amendment. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the Department of Justice’s guidance. | 2025-01-31 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Immigration policy — punishment of sanctuary cities and states (Executive Order 14159) (DOJ “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives” (Feb. 5, 2025)) | City and County of San Francisco v. Donald J. Trump, et al (N.D. Cal.) Case No. 3:25-cv-01350 | Complaint | Feb. 7, 2025 | Trump’s executive order directed the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities, which the Department of Justice implemented through a Feb. 5, 2025 “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives” memorandum. The plaintiffs include various cities and counties. They sued on the grounds that the executive order and DOJ memo violate the Tenth Amendment’s reservation of unenumerated power to the states, separation of powers, the spending clause, the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the executive order is unconstitutional and a permanent injunction on any effort to enforce the provisions withholding funding. | 2025-02-07 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Immigration Policy – “Expedited Removal” (Executive Order 14159) | Make the Road New York v. Benjamine Huffman (Acting Secretary of Homeland Security) et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00190 | Complaint | Jan. 22, 2025 | Trump’s executive order directed the Department of Homeland Security to expand the use of expedited removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to include noncitizens located anywhere in the U.S. who cannot prove they have been continuously present for more than two years. The plaintiff, 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. The suit claims the rule is arbitrary, exceeds statutory authority, and disregards legal and constitutional protections against wrongful removal. | 2025-01-31 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Immigration Policy – Discontinuation of CBP One app (Executive Order 14165) | Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center et al v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:24-cv-01702 Motion for TRO: 1:24-cv-01702-RC - Dkt. No. 71 | Complaint Motion for TRO (underlying case filed June 12, 2024) | Jan. 23, 2025 | The Trump administration executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to cease operation of the CBP One app, which was created by the Biden administration to enable asylum seekers to schedule appointments to request asylum. The Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and the ACLU had previously sued to challenge a Biden administration rule that limited asylum access to those presenting at a port of entry or falling under another narrow exception. In response, the government argued that the CBP One app remained as a pathway by which asylum-seekers could request appointments. In light of the discontinuation of the CBP One app, Las Americas, et al, filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and requested an immediate status conference and leave to file supplemental briefings to address the government’s position. Update 1: On Feb. 6, the court denied the motion for a temporary restraining order on the basis that the court lacked authority to order the government to parole noncitizens into the United States, determining that this power is wielded exclusively at the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security. | 2025-02-06 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Access of Lawyers to Immigrants in Detention (Executive Order 14159) | Amica Center for Immigrant Rights et al. v. U.S. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00298 | Complaint | Jan. 31, 2025 | In 2024, Congress appropriated funds for two immigration programs, the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) and Immigration Court Helpdesk (ICH). On Jan. 22, 2025, the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) issued a stop-work order that halted funding for four programs providing legal resources to unrepresented people facing deportation. The EOIR action was taken purportedly to “audit” the programs pursuant to the Trump administration executive order. Nine advocacy and immigrant legal services organizations sued, arguing that terminating funding for the programs is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); violates the Appropriations Clause in the case of the LOP and ICH; and violates the First Amendment by denying the plaintiffs access to courthouses and immigration detention centers. The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction and to enjoin the government from stopping the programs, refusing to spend appropriated funds, preventing the plaintiffs from accessing immigration courts houses and detention centers, and removing materials and posters the plaintiffs have posted in those locations. | 2025-01-31 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: DHS Revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (vacatur of Venezuelan TPS; termination of Venezuelan TPS) | National TPS Alliance et al. v. Noem (N.D. Cal.) Case No. 25-cv-1766 | Complaint | Feb. 19, 2025 | On Jan. 17, 2025, near the end of President Joe Biden’s term, DHS Secretary Mayorkas extended the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans living in the United States. On Jan. 28, President Trump’s newly-confirmed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem vacated that extension, and days later she terminated TPS for Venezuelans who had first registered for protected status in 2023. Plaintiffs allege that DHS lacks authority to “vacate” a prior TPS extension, but even if it did have such authority, the Secretary’s justifications are “arbitrary and capricious, contrary to law, pretextual, and inexplicably deviate from past practice in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.” Citing Secretary Noem’s references to Venezuelan TPS holders as “dirtbags,” Plaintiffs also allege that the Secretary’s actions were motivated at least partly by racial animus, in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Plaintiffs request that the court declare unlawful and set aside DHS’s vacatur and termination orders and reinstate the prior TPS extension. | 2025-02-19 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: DHS Revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (vacatur of Venezuelan TPS; termination of Venezuelan TPS) | Casa, Inc. and Make the Road New York v. Noem (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00525 | Complaint | Feb. 20, 2025 | On Jan. 17, 2025, near the end of President Joe Biden’s term, DHS Secretary Mayorkas extended the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans living in the United States. On Jan. 28, President Trump’s newly-confirmed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem vacated that extension, and days later she terminated TPS for Venezuelans who had first registered for protected status in 2023. Plaintiffs allege that Secretary Noem, in bypassing the standard process for conducting TPS reviews, violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Citing Secretary Noem’s references to Venezuelan TPS holders as “dirtbags” and statements by President Trump, Plaintiffs also allege that Defendants’ vacatur and termination of TPS designation was motivated by discriminatory intent and racial animus, in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Plaintiffs request that the court declare unlawful and set aside DHS’s vacatur and termination orders and reinstate the prior TPS extension. | 2025-02-20 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Proclamation Prohibiting Non-Citizens from Invoking Asylum Provisions” (Proclamation 10888) | Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services v. Noem (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00306 | Complaint | Feb. 3, 2025 | Trump’s proclamation bars immigrants who arrive after the date of the proclamation from invoking provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that would permit them to remain in the United States while pursuing asylum claims. The plaintiffs, three nonprofit organizations in Texas and Arizona providing legal services and assistance to undocumented individuals or asylum seekers, argue that the order violates the following statutory and constitutional provisions: 1. the Asylum Statute in the INA, 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(1) (by barring noncitizens from applying for asylum in direct contradiction to congressional protections); 2. the Withholding of Removal Statute, 8 U.S.C. § 1231(b)(3) (by preventing noncitizens from seeking protection from persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion); 3. the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act (FARRA), 8 U.S.C. § 1231, and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) (by depriving noncitizens of a meaningful opportunity to present CAT claims and shielding them from potential torture); 4. the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), 8 U.S.C. § 1232(a)(5)(D) (by denying unaccompanied children from non-contiguous countries their statutory right to regular removal proceedings); 5. the INA’s procedural protections for removal, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, 1229a, 1225(b) (by overriding mandated removal proceedings and eliminating procedural protections, including credible fear screenings); 6. the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A) (by implementing policies that are arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law) and § 706(2)(D) (by failing to follow the required rulemaking process before enacting sweeping changes to statutory protections); and 7. the constitutional separation of powers (by exceeding presidential authority and unlawfully overriding congressionally enacted immigration protections). The Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the proclamation is unlawful and an injunction stopping its implementation. Update 1: On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs filed an emergency motion to stay removal of individual plaintiff non-citizens who are currently detained by the Defendants and could be imminently deported under the proclamation. On Feb. 20, Judge Moss issued an administrative stay in the case until 12 pm on Feb. 24 to allow the government time to gather information to respond, and time for expedited briefing. The court further ordered the Defendants to respond to Plaintiffs’ emergency motion for a stay of removal by Feb. 21. Update 2: On Feb. 22, Judge Moss denied as moot the emergency motion to stay removal of individual asylum-seekers because the government agreed not to use President Trump’s January 2025 border proclamation to remove them during the litigation. The court ordered that the government must provide at least seven days’ notice before removing any of the plaintiffs during the case and vacated the scheduled hearing. | 2025-02-22 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Migrant Transfers to Guantanamo (Presidential Memorandum) | Perez Parra v. Castro (D. N.M.) Case No. 1:24-cv-00912-KG-KRS Dkt. No. 43 | Complaint | Feb. 9, 2025 | Trump’s Presidential Memorandum orders the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to function at full capacity as a detention center for undocumented migrants. Three Venezuelan men, already part of an existing habeas lawsuit from September 2024 in the District Court of New Mexico, sought to block the administration from transferring them to the Guantanamo facility. Based on their similarities to those previously relocated, the men anticipated being moved as well. The challenge is specific to three specific individuals, under the All Writs Act to preserve the ongoing jurisdiction of the court, and does not seek to block other transfers. On Feb. 9, Chief District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales granted a temporary restraining order, barring the U.S. government from transferring the three men. Update 1: On Feb. 13, Judge Gonzales issued a 1-page Memorandum Opinion and Order noting that the Defendants had filed a Notice that all three petitioners were removed to Venezuela on Feb. 10; and vacated the upcoming status conference. Update 2: On Feb. 14, the docket reflected a Notice of voluntary dismissal of the case by the three petitioners. | 2025-02-14 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Migrant Transfers to Guantanamo (Presidential Memorandum) | Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center v. Noem (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00418 | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | Trump’s Presidential Memorandum orders the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantánamo Bay to function at full capacity as a detention center for undocumented migrants. Plaintiffs are suing on behalf of the families of four Venezuelan nationals who are believed to have been transferred to Guantánamo. Plaintiffs allege the government’s action violates habeas corpus rights, Fifth Amendment Due Process rights, and the Immigration and Naturalization Act’s guarantee of the right to counsel. Plaintiffs further allege that the government’s alleged restriction of information in and out of Guantánamo violates both the plaintiffs’ and the detainees’ First Amendment rights. They seek court orders declaring that the government’s actions violate those rights, permitting access to lawyers, requiring the government to identify the location of detainees held at Guantánamo, requiring the government to provide 72-hours notice prior to any transfer to a foreign jurisdiction, and requiring the government to provide 72-hours notice prior to any transfer of additional noncitizens to Guantánamo. Update 1: On Feb. 20, the government filed a notice that DHS had removed the immigration detainees from Guantánamo, which the government asserted “eliminates any need for temporary injunctive relief.” Just prior, it filed its Opposition to the Motion for Temporary Restraining Order arguing, among other things, that the Plaintiffs (family members of individuals who had been held at Guantánamo, and advocacy organizations) lacked standing because they were not themselves detained, that the District Court lacked statutory authority to require the government to provide notice before transferring individuals into or out of Guantánamo, and denying the validity of Plaintiffs’ constitutional claims. Update 2: On Feb. 21, Plaintiffs filed a Reply reasserting their request for a TRO to prevent the government from sending more detainees to Guantánamo. Update 3: On Feb. 24, Plaintiffs filed a Reply explaining that in spite of the administration’s Feb. 20 notice that all immigrant detainees had been transferred off Guantánamo and the TRO was moot, they had learned via social media that another group of immigrants was being sent to Guantánamo. The Reply adds further factual allegations and legal arguments that immigrant detainees are prevented from having real meaningful access to legal representation. These include that (1) the government and guards at the detention camp do not allow detainees to make phone calls, including by saying “this is a terrorist prison and there is no capacity to make calls” and by limiting available phones and times such that most people cannot use them; (2) unrepresented detainees transferred to Guantanamo do not have access to a legal directory, know your rights briefings, or practical means to meet counsel; and (3) retained counsel face numerous obstacles to representing their clients, including that only five detainees can make phone calls each day, there are no means for attorneys to initiate contact with their clients, and there is no way to transfer or sign paperwork other than the government's announced policy to “generally follow the procedures used in the habeas litigation involving law of war detainees,” and to transfer mail to detainees from Washington, D.C. on a weekly basis. Plaintiffs argue that these restrictions violate detainees’ First and Fifth Amendment rights, as well as their statutory right to counsel under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as the plaintiff advocacy organizations’ First Amendment rights. | 2025-02-24 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Migrant Transfers to Guantanamo (Presidential Memorandum) | Espinoza Escalona v. Noem (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00604 | Complaint | Mar. 1, 2025 | [Coming soon] | 2025-03-01 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (Executive Order No. 14163) and Refugee Funding Suspension (Dept of State Notice) | Pacito v. Trump (W.D. Wash) (2:25-cv-255) | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions and processing. The State Department issued a Jan. 24 notice suspending federal funding for resettlement programs. Ten plaintiffs — individual refugees, U.S. citizens, and resettlement organizations (HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest) — filed a proposed class action seeking injunctions to block implementation of the orders, declaratory judgments that the actions are unlawful, maintenance of refugee processing and resettlement services consistent with the status quo, and confirmation of compliance with such remedies if granted. The lawsuit alleges that the orders have left approved refugees stranded internationally, denied recent arrivals statutorily-mandated support services, and forced layoffs at resettlement institutions. The complaint asserts that the executive orders violate the Refugee Act’s comprehensive statutory scheme for refugee policy, are arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act for circumventing notice-and-comment requirements and failing to establish a reasoned basis for the change in policy, and breach agency regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 207.7 governing the Follow-to-Join process in violation of the Accardi doctrine requiring government officials to follow the agency’s own rules and procedures. The lawsuit further argues that the orders violate the Fifth Amendment due process rights of U.S. citizens petitioning for family reunification, and violate fundamental separation of powers principles by attempting to redistribute or withhold congressionally appropriated funds to achieve policy objectives. Update 1: Judge Jamal Whitehead, ruling from the bench, issued a preliminary injunction barring implementation of the executive order. Update 1: On Feb. 25, Judge Jamal Whitehead, ruling from the bench, issued a preliminary injunction barring implementation of the executive order. Update 2: On Feb. 28, Judge Whitehead issued a written opinion granting the nationwide preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-28 |
| Immigration and Citizenship | Executive Action: Suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (Executive Order No. 14163) and Refugee Funding Suspension (Dept of State Notice) | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops v. Department of State et al. (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00465 | Complaint | Feb. 18, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions and processing. The State Department issued a Jan. 24 notice suspending federal funding for resettlement programs. Plaintiff, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is part of a public-private partnership with the federal government through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, and was providing transitionary resettlement services to more than 6,700 refugees when the State Department suspended funding. USCCB brought suit, arguing the government policy suspending funds for the Refugee Admissions Program is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act because it (1) violates the Immigration and Naturalization Act, the Refugee Act of 1980, and the Impoundment Control Act; (2) is an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion; and (3) is a substantive role promulgated without required notice-and-comment rulemaking. They seek a declaratory judgment that the suspension is unlawful, and temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions prohibiting the government from implementing the suspension and requiring the government to make reimbursements pursuant to the terms of its cooperative agreements. Update 1: On Feb 20, 2025, Judge Trevor N. McFadden denied the request for a temporary restraining order, but ordered an expedited briefing schedule for the preliminary injunction motion. Update 2: On Feb. 24, Plaintiffs filed a supplemental memorandum in support of the motion for a preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-24 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Reinstatement of Schedule F for Policy/Career Employees (Executive Order 14171) | National Treasury Employees Union v. Donald J. Trump et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00170 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to reclassify thousands of members of the civil service and strip them of their civil-service protections, enabling the president or heads of agencies to fire them at will. The National Treasury Employees Union sued to block implementation of the order on behalf of the union’s members. The lawsuit argues that the executive order violates laws Congress passed to provide civil-service protections to the vast majority of civil servants, with only limited exceptions for Senate-confirmed political appointees. | 2025-01-31 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Reinstatement of Schedule F for Policy/Career Employees (Executive Order 14171) | Government Accountability Project v. Office of Personnel Management (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00347 | Complaint (Feb. 6, 2025) | Feb. 6, 2025 | On Jan. 27, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell issued Guidance implementing the president’s executive order, which aims to reclassify thousands of members of the civil service and strip them of their civil-service protections, enabling the president or heads of agencies to fire them at will. Plaintiffs—independent nonprofits representing whistleblowers, federal employees, retirees and their survivors—allege that the OPM Guidance did not go through proper procedure under the Administrative Procedure Act, violates the Civil Service Reform Act’s protections for career employees, and violates civil servants’ Fifth Amendment Due Process rights. They seek a declaratory judgment that the executive order and the OPM Guidance are unlawful and an injunction enjoining the administration from implementing the executive order and the OPM Guidance. | 2025-02-06 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Reinstatement of Schedule F for Policy/Career Employees (Executive Order 14171) | Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility v. Donald Trump et al (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00260-PX | Complaint | Jan. 28, 2025 | Trump’s executive order authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to reclassify thousands of members of the civil service and strip them of their civil-service protections, enabling the president or heads of agencies to fire them at will. PEER, represented by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and Democracy Forward, sued to enjoin implementation of the executive order. The lawsuit argues that the executive order violates the Administrative Procedure Act and deprives civil servants of due process by stripping them of protections guaranteed under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. | 2025-01-31 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Reinstatement of Schedule F for Policy/Career Employees (Executive Order 14171) | American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO and American Federation of State, County And Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Donald Trump et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00264 | Complaint | Jan. 29, 2025 | On Jan. 27, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Charles Ezell issued guidance implementing the president’s executive order, which aims to reclassify thousands of members of the civil service and strip them of their civil-service protections, enabling the president or heads of agencies to fire them at will. The AFGE and AFSCME – labor organizations representing federal, state and local employees – assert that the Trump administration failed to follow proper notice-and-comment procedures under the Administrative Procedural Act in issuing the order, which renders “inoperative or without effect” existing regulations, 5 C.F.R. 210.102(b)(3), 5 C.F.R. 210.102(b)(4), and 5 C.F.R. § 302.601-603. The plaintiffs sued, seeking a declaratory judgment to that effect, as well as an injunction enjoining the Defendants from enforcing the order without first complying with the APA’s notice-and-comment requirements. | 2025-01-31 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | Public Citizen Inc et al v. Donald J. Trump and Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00164 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. Two advocacy organizations and the American Federation of Government Employees sued, arguing that the order violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which bars the delegation of decision-making authority to private citizens without public access. The suit asks the court to enjoin the operation of DOGE unless and until it complies with the FACA’s requirements. Update 1: On Feb. 18, 2025, Judge Jia M. Cobb (D.D.C.) granted defendants’ motion to consolidate two cases with this case. Parties in Lentini v. Department of Government Efficiency (complaint), and American Public Health Association v. Office of Budget and Management (complaint) must make all future filings in this case. | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | Jerald Lentini, Joshua Erlich, and National Security Counselors v. Department of Government Efficiency, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management, Executive Office of the President, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Russell Vought, Scott Kupor, and Donald Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00166 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. The advocacy organization National Security Counselors, Inc., sued, arguing that the order violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which bars the delegation of decision-making authority to private citizens without public access. The suit asks the court to enjoin the operation of DOGE unless and until it complies with the FACA’s requirements. Update 1: On Feb. 18, 2025, Judge Jia M. Cobb (D.D.C) granted defendants’ motion in Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump to consolidate three cases. Parties in Lentini v. Department of Government Efficiency and American Public Health Association v. Office of Budget and Management must make all future filings in Public Citizen. | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | American Public Health Association et al v. Office of Management and Budget, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Government Efficiency (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00167 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. Several advocacy organizations sued, arguing that the order violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which bars the delegation of decision-making authority to private citizens without public access. The suit asks the court to enjoin the operation of DOGE unless and until it complies with the FACA’s requirements. Update 1: On Feb. 18, 2025, Judge Jia M. Cobb (D.D.C) granted defendants’ motion in Public Citizen, Inc. v. Trump to consolidate three cases. Parties in Lentini v. Department of Government Efficiency and American Public Health Association v. Office of Budget and Management must make all future filings in Public Citizen. | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | Center for Biological Diversity v. Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00165 | Complaint | Jan. 20, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Office of Management and Budget under the Freedom of Information Act, demanding records related to communications between OMB and DOGE’s leadership or those acting on its behalf. | 2025-01-31 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | J. Doe 1-26 v. Musk (D. Md) Case 8:25-cv-00462-TDC | Complaint | Feb. 13, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. Twenty-six current and former USAID employees or contractors filed a lawsuit claiming that Elon Musk’s constitutional authority to exercise significant government powers as the head of DOGE without Senate confirmation violates the Appointments Clause. The complaint alleges that Musk and the DOGE staff are exercising “significant authority” by controlling agency operations, making personnel decisions, and directing federal spending, all powers the plaintiffs claim can be wielded only by properly appointed officers of the United States. The lawsuit argues that Musk is functioning as a principal officer while evading the constitutional requirement for Senate confirmation. The plaintiffs also claim that Musk’s actions would be unconstitutional even if he were considered merely an inferior officer, as Congress has not authorized the President to directly appoint anyone to his position. The plaintiffs also argue that DOGE’s structure violates separation of powers by creating a “shadow chain of command” that undermines Congress’s power to create agencies and their authorities through statute, confirm appointed officers, and conduct oversight. The suit asks the court to declare Musk and DOGE to be acting unlawfully, enjoin Musk and DOGE from exercising government authority unless appointed by proper process, and set aside their actions taken to date. | 2025-02-13 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Establishment of “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) (Executive Order 14158) | New Mexico et al. v. Musk (D.D.C.) Case No. 1.25-cv-00429 | Complaint | Feb. 13, 2025 | Trump’s executive order renames the U.S. Digital Service as the U.S. DOGE Service (Department of Government Efficiency) and reestablishes the office under the Executive Office of the President. Fourteen states filed a lawsuit claiming that Elon Musk’s constitutional authority to exercise significant government powers as the head of DOGE without Senate confirmation violates the Appointments Clause. The complaint alleges that Musk and the DOGE staff are exercising “significant authority” by controlling agency operations, making personnel decisions, and directing federal spending, all powers they claim can only be wielded by properly appointed officers of the United States. The suit asks the court to declare Musk and DOGE to be acting unlawfully, impose a temporary restraining order barring Musk and DOGE from exercising government authority (including a specific list of official actions) while awaiting preliminary and permanent injunctions to the same effect, and set aside their actions taken to date. Update 1: On Feb. 17, the government submitted a declaration by Joshua Fisher, Director of the Office of Administration, stating that Musk is not the head of DOGE nor an employee of DOGE. Update 2: On Feb 18, Judge Tanya Chutkan denied the Plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order but also indicated a potentially favorable view of the Plaintiffs’ argument on the merits (pp. 8-9). | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Solicitation of information from career employees | Jane Does 1-2 v. Office of Personnel Management (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00234 | Complaint | Jan. 27, 2025 | The Office of Personnel Management announced it was testing a new system to email all civilian federal employees from a single email address, HR@opm.gov. Individuals claiming to be OPM employees subsequently posted online that the emails were being stored on an unsecure server at OPM. Plaintiffs, employees of executive-branch agencies who received “test” emails from HR@opm.gov requesting information, sued. The lawsuit alleges that the new procedure violates the E-Government Act of 2002 and asks the court to require the Office of Personnel Management to conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment before collecting any data from employees, as required under the law. Update 1 and 2: On Feb. 4, 2025, the plaintiffs requested a temporary restraining order. On Feb. 6, Judge Randolph D. Moss denied the TRO request and said an opinion will follow. Update 3: On Feb. 11, OPM moved to dismiss the Complaint on the grounds that Plaintiffs lack Article III standing and failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Update 4: On Feb. 17, 2025, in a Memorandum Opinion and Order, Judge Moss denied plaintiffs’ most recent motion for a TRO on the ground that they had not shown they were likely to have standing or face irreparable injury without emergency relief. | 2025-02-17 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | Alliance for Retired Americans v. Scott Bessent et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00313 | Complaint | Feb. 3, 2025 | The complaint alleges that the Treasury Department granted DOGE-affiliated individuals access to sensitive personal and financial information maintained by the Treasury Department. The plaintiffs sued on behalf of members whose records may have been transmitted from the Treasury Department to DOGE employees, thus allegedly depriving the members of privacy. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and declaratory relief, as well as a temporary restraining order, for alleged violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and actions in excess of legal authority under the Privacy Act. Update 1: On Feb. 6, 2025, the parties in the suit mutually proposed an order that Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly adopted. It limits access to Treasury Department payment records and systems to two (Musk-affiliated) Special Government Employees in the Department (“read-only” access), other employees who need to access the record to perform their duties, or individuals who are already entitled to access the records under statute. Update 2: On Feb. 20, the court issued an order accepting an unopposed motion to modify the Feb. 6 order. Update 3: On Feb. 25, following a hearing the previous day, the court ordered “that Defendants shall file the administrative record underlying the decisions challenged in this case on or before March 10, 2025.” | 2025-02-25 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | New York et al v. Donald J. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) Case No. 1:25-cv-01144-JAV | Complaint | Feb. 7, 2025 | The complaint alleges that the Treasury Department granted DOGE-affiliated individuals access to sensitive personal and financial information maintained by the Treasury Department. The plaintiffs, attorneys general of 19 states, sued on the ground that the policy of giving expanded access to political appointees and “special government employees” to Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Services violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The plaintiffs claim the policy violates the APA by exceeding authority conferred by statute for the unauthorized purpose of impeding payments and accessing private information; for failure to conduct a privacy impact statement; for violation of the Privacy Act; and for violating ethics statutes on conflicts of interest. The plaintiffs also assert the policy usurps congressional authority and is ultra virus. The plaintiffs requested an emergency temporary restraining order, as well as preliminary and permanent injunction to bar access to political appointees, special government employees, and government employees detailed from other agencies as well as to any person who has not received a background check, security clearance, and information security training. Update 1: The case is before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas. On Feb. 8, 2025, after midnight, Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued an emergency temporary restraining order until Judge Vargas holds a hearing on Feb. 14. Judge Engelmayer’s order prohibits access to the Treasury Department’s systems and also requires prohibited persons to immediately destroy any material already downloaded from the Treasury Department’s systems. Update 2: On Feb. 21, Judge Vargas granted a limited preliminary injunction, enjoining the Treasury Department from granting access to DOGE-affiliated individuals to any payment record, payment systems, or any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees. The court noted that “a real possibility exists that sensitive information has already been shared outside of the Treasury Department, in potential violation of federal law.” The court ordered the Treasury Department to submit a report by March 24 including several forms of information and certifications including “the vetting and security clearances processes that members of the Treasury DOGE Team have undergone;” ”setting forth the legal authority pursuant to which each DOGE Team member was employed by or detailed to the Treasury Department;” and “explaining the reporting chains that govern the relationship between the DOGE Team members, USDS/DOGE, and Treasury leadership.” | 2025-02-21 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | AFL-CIO v. Dep’t of Labor (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00339 | Complaint | Feb. 5, 2025 | On Feb. 5, 2025, DOGE sought access to internal information systems at the Department of Labor. Plaintiffs sued, arguing DOGE’s attempt to direct the agency and access internal information systems are an unlawful exercise of power beyond its authority; and unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act as a prohibited personnel practice, violation of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act, violation of the Privacy Act, rulemaking without proper procedure, and arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion. They seek temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief to prevent the Department of Labor from granting access to DOGE, from taking adverse action against employees who refuse to cooperate with DOGE, and from providing any person with non-public Department of Labor information regarding that person’s business interests or direct competitors. On the same day as the complaint was filed, judge John Bates issued an Order which stated, “Defendants represented to the Court that DOL [Department of Labor] will not allow DOGE access to any DOL data until after this Court rules on the TRO motion on Friday.” Update 1: On Feb. 7, Judge Bates denied the petition for a temporary restraining order on the ground that the plaintiffs lacked standing. Update 2: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs submitted a renewed request for a TRO enjoining agency defendants from granting members of DOGE access to their systems of records, except as consistent with applicable federal law. Update 3: On Feb. 14, Judge Bates denied the renewed request for a TRO, but added, “On the Economy Act question, which is the most important for this denial of a TRO, the Court will benefit from further briefing and analysis on a motion for preliminary injunction.” Update 4: On Feb. 27, Judge Bates ordered limited expedited discovery in the case in the form of answers to written interrogatories, production of documents, and the deposition of four individuals (one each from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and DOGE), to last no more than eight hours in aggregate. | 2025-02-27 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | University of California Student Ass’n v. Carter et al Case No. 1:25-cv-00354 | Complaint | Feb. 7, 2025 | On Feb. 3, 2025, reportedly 20 people affiliated with DOGE were working with the Department of Education, some of whom obtained access to sensitive internal information systems, including systems related to federal student aid. Plaintiffs sued, arguing DOGE’s access is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act in that it is contrary to law in violation of the Privacy Act and Internal Revenue Code; arbitrary and capricious; and in excess of statutory authority. They seek a declaratory judgment that DOGE officials are not authorized to access Department of Education records that contain personal information, and temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief preventing the Department of Education from continuing to provide access to DOGE, ensuring there is no further dissemination of data, and requiring recovery of unlawfully transferred information. Update 1: On Feb. 10, Plaintiff moved for a TRO, requesting Defendants be enjoined from disclosing information about individuals to individuals affiliated with DOGE, and required to retrieve and safeguard any such information that has already been obtained by and shared or transferred by DOGE or individuals associated with it. Update 2: On Feb. 17, Judge Randolph Moss denied the TRO on the grounds that mere “access” to data by government employees who are not formally authorized to view it, without more, does not create an irreparable injury. He wrote that courts find dissemination of information to be an irreparable injury where highly sensitive information will be made public or is given to someone with no obligation to keep it confidential. He also wrote that irreparable harm was not present because plaintiffs would have a private right of action and money damages for certain unauthorized disclosures. | 2025-02-17 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | National Treasury Employees Union v. Russell Vought (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00380 | Complaint | Feb. 9, 2025 | DOGE “special government employee” entered CFPB. On February 7, 2025, Chris Young, Nikhil Rajpul, and Gavin Kliger—none of whom is or has been a CFPB employee—were added to CFPB’s staff and email directories as “senior advisers.” Russell Vought, as Acting Director of CFPB, instructed CFPB staffers to grant this DOGE team access to all non-classified systems. Plaintiffs maintain that CFPB has a statutory obligation to protect its employee information under both the Privacy Act and CFPB regulations (5 C.F.R. Part 1070). Plaintiffs claim that CFPB violated that obligation by granting DOGE access to employee information without satisfying an exception in the Privacy Act. Plaintiffs seek a judgment declaring that CFPB violated the law by granting DOGE access to CFPB systems, that CFPB’s disclosure of employee information to DOGE is unlawful, and request an injunction to prevent CFPB from disclosing employee records to DOGE. | 2025-02-09 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | American Federation of Teachers et al v. Bessent et al (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00430 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | The complaint alleges that the Treasury Department, Office of Personnel Management, and Department of Education have provided DOGE “special government employees” with access to information systems that contain records of private citizens' sensitive personal information (including Social Security numbers, financial records, and more). Plaintiffs sued, arguing DOGE access is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act as (1) not in accordance with the Privacy Act; (2) an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion; and (3) in excess of statutory authority. They seek a declaratory judgment that disclosing records to DOGE is unlawful and temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief to bar defendants from allowing DOGE to access sensitive information; ensure there is no further unauthorized disclosure; ensure records improperly disseminated are retrieved or destroyed; and ensure future disclosures will only occur in accordance with the Privacy Act. Update 1: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO enjoining Defendants from providing DOGE access to their records systems and ordering any records housed outside government information systems be retrieved or destroyed. Update 2: On Feb. 24, the court granted a TRO enjoining the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management from disclosing sensitive information to any DOGE affiliates. The court denied the motion for a TRO against Treasury officials on the basis that a preliminary injunction against Treasury has already been granted in a related case. | 2025-02-24 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | Electronic Privacy Information Center v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (E.D.V.A.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00255 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | The complaint alleges that the Treasury Department granted DOGE-affiliated individuals access to sensitive personal and financial information maintained by the Treasury Department. The plaintiffs, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and Doe 1 (a federal employee), sued, claiming that the transmission of these records violated the plaintiffs’ right to privacy and puts plaintiffs at risk of identity theft and financial crimes. Plaintiffs also argue that the transmission of these records was not compliant with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and other privacy and security requirements. The lawsuit seeks injunctive and declaratory relief curing the release of information and halting further sharing by OPM and Treasury, alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, Privacy Act, the Fifth Amendment, 26 U.S.C. § 6103, and actions beyond the scope of authority—primarily by the DOGE defendants. Doe 1 also seeks an award of statutory and punitive damages. Update 1: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO to enjoin Treasury and OPM defendants from providing DOGE access to information systems, to enjoin DOGE defendants from accessing information systems, and to require status reports. | 2025-02-12 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | American Federation of Government Employees, et al. v. Office of Personnel Management et al (S.D.N.Y) Case No. 1:25-cv-01237 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | Plaintiffs allege the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has given DOGE access to OPM information systems that contain sensitive personal and employment records of government employees (including Social Security numbers, demographic information, job performance information, health records, and more). Plaintiffs, current and former federal employees and unions representing them, sued, arguing OPM’s disclosure of this information to DOGE violates the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act; and that DOGE’s actions are ultra vires. They seek a declaratory judgment that the government’s actions are unlawful; temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief; and an order for the impoundment and destruction of copies of improperly disclosed personal information. | 2025-02-11 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | Nemeth-Greenleaf, et al. v. Office of Personnel Management, et al. (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00407 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | Plaintiffs are federal employees from various government departments who filed suit as a proposed class action. They allege that DOGE workers unlawfully accessed their private information from OPM and the Treasury Department. They argue that Defendants are engaged in an “unlawful ongoing, systemic, and continuous disclosure of personal, health, and financial information” to Elon Musk and DOGE in violation of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a. They seek injunctive relief and damages. | 2025-02-11 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | Gribbon et al. v. Musk (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00422 | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | Plaintiffs filed a proposed class action lawsuit. They are recipients of federal benefits, student loans, or have filed tax return information with the federal government. The complaint alleges that “Defendants [are] liable for their willful failure to ensure the security of Plaintiffs’ and Class members’” private information. Plaintiffs allege Defendant Elon Musk violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and that Defendants OPM and Treasury violated the Privacy Act of 1974. Plaintiffs are suing for injunctive relief and monetary damages “resulting from Defendants’ unlawful ongoing, systematic, and continuous disclosure of personal and financial information.” | 2025-02-12 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | Center for Taxpayer Rights v. IRS (D.D.C) Case 1:25-cv-00457 | Complaint | Feb. 17, 2025 | Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency’s access to information from the Internal Revenue Service. Plaintiffs are organizations that represent low-income taxpayers, immigrants, domestic abuse survivors, small businesses, and public and private sector employees. They allege that by allowing DOGE to access private citizens’ tax information, the IRS has violated the Federal Information Security Act, the Privacy Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Plaintiffs also allege that DOGE has engaged in “ultra vires” actions by “directing and controlling the use and administration of Defendant IRS’ systems.” They seek declaratory and injunctive relief to stop allegedly “wrongful provision of access, inspection, and disclosure of return information and other personal information in the IRS system to members of DOGE.” They also seek other forms of relief such as ordering Defendants to disgorge all unlawfully obtained information. | 2025-02-17 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Disclosure of personal and financial records to DOGE | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO v. Social Security Administration (D. Md.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00596 | Complaint | Feb. 21, 2025 | Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency’s access to Social Security Administration data and systems. They allege that allowing DOGE to access private citizens’ sensitive data violates several laws, including the Internal Revenue Code, the Privacy Act, the Federal Information Systems Modernization Act, the E-Government Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. They further allege that Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek’s exercise of significant authority without nomination or confirmation violates the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Plaintiffs ask the court to declare DOGE’s access to SSA data and systems unlawful, order DOGE to disgorge or delete any unlawfully obtained data, and prohibit any further efforts by either DOGE or SSA to enable DOGE to access SSA data or systems. | 2025-02-21 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: “Fork Directive” deferred resignation offer to federal employees (OPM Directive) | American Federation of Gov’t Employees, AFL-CIO v. Ezell (D. Mass) Case No. 1:25-cv-10276 | Complaint | Feb. 4, 2025 | On January 28, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management sent an email to career federal employees presenting what it described as a deferred resignation program, an offer to receive compensation until September 30, 2025 if they resign now (“Fork Directive” email). A deadline for the offer was set for February 6, 2025. Plaintiffs filed suit, arguing the directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because it is “arbitrary and capricious” and not in accordance with the Antideficiency Act. They seek a declaratory judgment that the directive violates the APA and that the directive be vacated; they also seek an preliminary and permanent injunction of the February 6, 2025 deadline and an order that OPM submit for court approval a corrected communication for all employees who received the directive. Update 1: On Feb. 5, 2025, the plaintiffs requested a temporary restraining order and that within 24 hours of the TRO, the Government provide written notice of the TRO to all federal employees who have received the directive. Update 2: On Feb. 6, 2025, Judge George O’Toole issued an order to pause the program and extend the deadline until Monday when a hearing is scheduled. Update 3: On Feb. 10, 2025, Judge O’Toole ordered that the stay of the Feb. 6 deadline will remain in effect “pending the completion of briefing and oral argument on the issues.” Defendants notified the Court of their compliance with the order. Update 4: On Feb. 12, 2025, Judge O’Toole dissolved the TRO and denied further preliminary injunctive relief, finding that the plaintiffs lacked Article III standing and that the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the claims asserted. | 2025-02-12 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Removal of independent agency leaders | Gwynne A. Wilcox v. Donald J. Trump et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00334 | Complaint | Feb. 5, 2025 | This case challenges President Trump’s removal of Gwynne A. Wilcox from her position on the National Labor Relations Board. The suit alleges the removal is in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. § 151 et seq.), which allows the president to remove Board members only in cases of neglect of duty or malfeasance and only after notice and hearing. The Plaintiff is seeking relief under the Declaratory Judgement Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202, to establish that she remains a rightful member of the Board and that the President lacks authority to remove her. She also seeks an injunction against the Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board, who oversaw the termination. Update 1: On Feb. 10, Plaintiff moved for expedited summary judgment. | 2025-02-10 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Removal of independent agency leaders | Grundmann v. Trump et al. (D.D.C) Case No. 1:25-cv-00425 | Complaint | Feb. 13, 2025 | On Feb, 10, 2025, White House official Trent Morse sent a two-sentence email to Susan Grundmann stating that her position on the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), an independent agency, “is terminated, effective immediately.” Plaintiff Susan Grundmann challenges her removal from the FLRA. Plaintiff was Chair of the FLRA when she received the email from Morse, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Plaintiff alleges she was improperly removed in violation of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (5 U.S.C. § 7104), which states that “Members of the Authority…may be removed by the President only upon notice and hearing and only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief and an injunction ordering her reinstatement. Update 1: On Feb. 14, Plaintiff filed a motion for preliminary injunction and summary judgment. | 2025-02-14 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Removal of independent agency leaders | Dellinger v. Bessent (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00385-ABJ | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | Plaintiff Hampton Dellinger has been the Special Counsel in the Office of the Special Counsel (OSC) since Mar. 6, 2024, when he was nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a five-year term. The OSC is an independent federal agency founded by Congress as part of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Its primary function is to protect federal employees and others who come forward as whistleblowers. Once confirmed, the Special Counsel serves a five-year term and “may be removed by the President only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” On Feb. 7, 2025, Dellinger received a two-sentence email from Sergio Gor, informing Dellinger that he was terminated, effective immediately, and stating no cause for such termination. Dellinger is suing under six different counts and seeks a declaratory judgment that President Trump’s decision to fire him was unlawful, that the Special Counsel may only be removed for cause; and seeks an order that Dellinger may not be removed and is entitled to backpay. As precedent for the constitutionality of the statutory for-cause protection, Dellinger cites to Humphrey’s Executor. Update 1: On Feb. 10, 2025, Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued an administrative stay on Dellinger’s termination through midnight on February 13, 2025, while the parties submit their briefs. Update 2: On Feb. 11, 2025, defendants appealed to the D.C. Circuit (case no. 25-5025), making an emergency motion to stay the district court’s administrative stay. Update 3: On Feb. 12, 2025, the D.C. Circuit dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Update 4: On Feb. 12, 2025, Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the D.C. District Court granted a temporary restraining order, ordering that Dellinger shall continue to serve as Special Counsel and prohibiting defendants from denying him the resources and materials of his office. Update 5: On Feb. 13, Defendants filed an appeal to the D.C. Circuit (case no. 25-5028). In the District Court, their motion for a stay pending appeal was denied. Update 6: On Feb. 15, the D.C. Circuit rejected the Defendant’s appeal in a 2-1 opinion. Update 7: The Government petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Justices to freeze and vacate the district court order that had temporarily reinstated Dellinger. Update 8: On Feb. 21, the Supreme Court rejected (7-2) the Government’s petition on the ground that a TRO was not properly subject to appeal at this stage. Update 9: On Feb. 26, Judge Jackson extended the TRO ordering that Dellinger remain as Special Counsel for an additional three days until she “complete[s] the written opinion on the consolidated motion for preliminary injunction and cross motions for summary judgment” (indicating she will rule on that day, Mar. 1). Update 10: On Mar. 1, Judge Jackson issued an Opinion and Order in favor of the Plaintiff. The Defendants immediately appealed to the DC Circuit. | 2025-03-01 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Removal of independent agency leaders | Cathy A. Harris v. Bessent et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00412 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | Plaintiff Cathy A. Harris challenges her removal from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), an independent federal agency. Plaintiff alleges that she received a one-sentence email from Trent Morse, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, stating that Plaintiff had been terminated, effective immediately. Plaintiff, whose term on the MSPB was set to expire in 2028, alleges that she was unlawfully removed from her position without justification, despite the statutory requirement that MSPB members may only be removed for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” She alleges the action was ultra vires and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. She seeks a declaratory judgment and injunction as well as an emergency temporary restraining order to reinstate her position on the MSPB. Update 1: On Feb. 11, Plaintiff moved for a temporary restraining order declaring that her removal is unlawful and that she is a member of the MSPB, and enjoining obstructing her access to the office. Update 2: On Feb. 18, Judge Rudolph Contreras granted the temporary restraining order and ordered that Harris continue to serve as Chair of the MSPB until the court rules on a preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Removal of independent agency leaders | LeBlanc & Felten v. United States Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00542 | Complaint | Feb. 24, 2025 | On Jan, 27, 2025, the U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) purported to remove Plaintiffs, two Senate-confirmed members of the Board. Plaintiffs represent two out of three Democratic members of the Board, which is required by statute to have Democratic and Republican members. Plaintiffs allege that the text, structure, and function of the 9/11 Commission Act bars removal of PCLOB members without good cause. They also assert that by removing Board members solely on the basis of their political affiliation, defendants have acted “not in accordance with law.” They seek a declaration that the Defendants “have no authority” to remove Plaintiffs from the Board based on their political affiliation and for the court to “hold unlawful and set aside the purported removals.” They also seek an injunction prohibiting defendants (other than the President) from removing them from their positions without good cause and enjoin defendants (other than the President) to restore them to those positions. | 2025-02-24 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of USAID (Executive Order 14169) (State Dept stop-work order) | American Foreign Service Association v. Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00352 | Complaint | Feb. 6, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order including a 90-day pause in “foreign development assistance,” and the Secretary of State then issued stop-work orders for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign assistance grants. Later, Secretary of State Rubio was named as acting USAID Administrator and USAID contractors were laid off or furloughed. On Feb. 3, Elon Musk posted that he had spent the previous weekend “feeding USAID to the woodchipper,” and USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. was closed. On Feb. 4, a message was posted on the USAID website that all directly-hired USAID staff would be placed on administrative leave as of 11:59pm EST on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Plaintiffs sued, arguing executive actions either to dissolve USAID or merge it with the State Department are unconstitutional violations of the separation of powers and the Take Care Clause; and unlawful under of the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding statutory authority, violating the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, and involving arbitrary and capricious abuses of discretion. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the administration’s actions are unlawful and unconstitutional; a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction directing the administration to halt efforts to shut down the agency, including by appointing an independent administrator, restoring grant funding, recalling furloughs, and halting efforts to place more employees on administrative leave, among other actions. Plaintiffs also seek court supervision, and a permanent injunction barring the administration from taking action to dissolve USAID absent congressional authorization. Update 1: On Feb. 7, 2025, Judge Carl J. Nichols issued a temporary restraining order preventing USAID from placing employees on administrative leave or evacuating them. He rejected the plaintiffs’ request for a restraining order on the funding freeze on the ground that the plaintiffs (USAID employees) could not show sufficient harm to themselves. Update 2: On Feb. 13, the court extended the TRO until Friday, Feb. 21, at 11:59 PM. Judge Nichols also amended the TRO’s statement to clarify that no USAID employees can be involuntarily evacuated from their host countries while the TRO remains in place. Update 3: On Feb. 14, the Government submitted a declaration by Pete Marocco, who performs the duties and functions of both Deputy Administrators of USAID; the declaration responds to the court’s questions about government actions to protect USAID employees abroad subject to administrative leave or in the event of employees staying voluntarily beyond the time of an evacuation. Update 4: On Feb. 21, Judge Nichols issued an Order and Memorandum Opinion rejecting the preliminary injunction and dissolving the TRO. His reasoning included that plaintiffs do not face irreparable harm after a series of concessions from Deputy Administrator Marocco, and that they could pursue remedies with administrative bodies governing disputes | 2025-02-21 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of USAID (Executive Order 14169) (State Dept stop-work order) | AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00400 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order including a 90-day pause in “foreign development assistance,” and the Secretary of State then issued stop-work orders for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign assistance grants. Plaintiffs, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and Journalism Development Network (JDN), sued for declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the implementation of the Executive Order and the stop-work order. Plaintiffs are two nonprofit organizations that receive federal grants from USAID to support their work. Both AVAC’s and JDN’s funding was appropriated by Congress through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act. Plaintiffs allege the Executive Order and stop-work order have been detrimental to their work, forcing them to lay off staff, slashing their budgets, and impacting their ability to carry out their missions. They allege the President acted ultra vires and usurped legislative authority. They also allege the President has violated the Take Care Clause. Plaintiffs’ claims against the State Department, USAID, Secretary of State Marc Rubio, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and OMB Director Vought are that the stop-work orders are arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, the Anti-Deficiency Act (as an “unlawful reserve”), and the Impoundment Control Act. Plaintiffs seek a declaration from the court that the suspension of foreign aid is unlawful, an injunction stopping defendants from enforcing the Executive Order, and an order to immediately reinstate foreign assistance funding. Update 1: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO enjoining Defendants from enforcing the Executive Order and State Department policy, enjoining stop-work orders, and reinstating foreign assistance funding and administration. Update 2: On Feb. 13, the court granted a TRO in this case and Global Health Council v. Trump on narrower terms than originally requested. The order enjoins implementation on the blanket suspension of foreign aid funding, but does not enjoin enforcement or implementation of Executive Order 14169, individual personnel decisions, or termination of individual contracts. Update 3: On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs filed an emergency motion for contempt seeking to enforce the Feb. 13 TRO against Defendants and hold them in civil contempt. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants’ purported compliance with the TRO “strains credulity” and that Defendants have continued to suspend funding and enforce stop-work orders in violation of the court’s orders. Update 4: On Feb. 20, the court granted in part plaintiffs’ motion for enforcement of the court’s TRO “to the extent Defendants have not complied with the terms of the TRO,” but did not make a finding of contempt, citing “Defendants’ explicit recognition that ‘prompt compliance with the order’ is required.” The granted motion applies to this case and Global Health Council v. Trump. Update 5: On Feb. 24, plaintiffs in Global Health Council v. Trump filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO. Update 6: On Feb. 25, the Government submitted a notice of its decision to appeal the court’s decision to the DC Circuit, and a motion to stay the court’s order pending appeal. Update 7: On Feb. 26, the district court rejected and the D.C. Circuit dismissed the Government’s motion for a stay. Update 8: On Feb. 26, the Government filed an application with the U.S. Supreme Court (while the decision before the D.C. Circuit was still pending) to vacate the district court’s TRO and grant an immediate administrative stay. That evening, Chief Justice Roberts granted an administrative stay and ordered a response by the plaintiffs by Feb. 28 at 12:p.m. EST. Update 9: On Feb. 28, the Plaintiffs filed its opposition to the application. | 2025-02-28 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of USAID (Executive Order 14169) (State Dept stop-work order) | Global Health Council v. Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00402 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | A group of for-profit and nonprofit organizations that contract with USAID sued the Trump administration over its recent actions to defund USAID, lay off or furlough employees, and transfer the Agency to be under the State Department. Plaintiffs provide a detailed chronology of the actions, memoranda, and statements that the Administration has issued. In addition to imperiling future projects by freezing future funds, plaintiffs also allege that there is money unpaid for services already performed. ($3,376,832 for Democracy International, approximately $120 million for DAI, $103.6 million for Chemonics, and tens of millions for SBAIC’s members.) Plaintiffs allege that neither the President, nor the Secretary of State, nor the USAID Administrator have the authority to unilaterally withhold already-appropriated funds, citing the Constitution and statutory law prohibiting the unilateral withholding: the Impoundment Control Act and the Anti-Deficiency Act. Plaintiffs also claim violations of the Administrative Procedure Act; that the Executive’s actions were arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to statutory and constitutional law. Plaintiffs ask the court to vacate and set aside all of the defendants’ actions to implement Executive Order 14169 and seek injunctions to prevent defendants from continuing to implement EO 14169 and from “dismantling USAID.” Update 1: On Feb. 11, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO enjoining implementation of the Executive Order and State Department Memorandum. Update 2: On Feb. 13, the court granted a TRO in this case and AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State on narrower terms than originally requested. The order enjoins implementation on the blanket suspension of foreign aid funding, but does not enjoin enforcement or implementation of Executive Order 14169, individual personnel decisions, or termination of individual contracts. Update 3: On Feb. 20, the court granted in part plaintiffs’ motion for enforcement of the court’s TRO “to the extent Defendants have not complied with the terms of the TRO,” but did not make a finding of contempt, citing “Defendants’ explicit recognition that ‘prompt compliance with the order’ is required.” The granted motion applies to this case and AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State. Update 4: On Feb. 24, plaintiffs filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO. Update 5: On Feb. 25, the Government submitted a notice of its decision to appeal the court’s decision to the DC Circuit, and a motion to stay the court’s order pending appeal. Update 6: On Feb. 26, the district court rejected and the D.C. Circuit dismissed the Government’s motion for a stay. Update 7: On Feb. 26, the Government filed an application with the U.S. Supreme Court (while the decision before the D.C. Circuit was still pending) to vacate the district court’s TRO and grant an immediate administrative stay. That evening, Chief Justice Roberts granted an administrative stay and ordered a response by the plaintiffs by Feb. 28 at 12:p.m. EST. | 2025-02-25 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of USAID (Executive Order 14169) (State Dept stop-work order) | Personal Services Contractor Association v. Trump et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00469 | Complaint | Feb. 18, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order including a 90-day pause in “foreign development assistance,” and the Secretary of State then issued stop-work orders for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign assistance grants. The Personal Services Contractor Association filed suit on Feb. 18, 2025, challenging Executive Order 14169 and subsequent actions that effectively suspended U.S. foreign aid and began dismantling USAID. The plaintiffs, representing USAID contractors, allege these actions have caused severe disruption, including contractors being locked out of facilities and email, facing eviction overseas, losing access to healthcare, and being unable to carry out humanitarian aid work. The plaintiffs bring four causes of action: (1) violation of separation of powers against Trump, (2) violation of the Take Care Clause against Trump, (3) violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) for arbitrary and capricious actions against all defendants except Trump, and (4) violation of the APA for actions not in accordance with law (including under the Impoundment Act and Anti-Deficiency Act) against all defendants except Trump. The plaintiffs seek both immediate temporary relief (to restore USAID contractors to their pre-January 20 employment status and work conditions) and permanent injunctive relief to prevent USAID's dismantling, its absorption into the State Department, and the freezing of congressionally-appropriated foreign assistance funds without congressional approval. They also request ongoing compliance monitoring through regular status reports. Update 1: On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs submitted a motion for a temporary restraining order, including 13 Declarations as Exhibits. | 2025-02-18 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | National Treasury Employees Union v. Russell Vought (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00381 | Complaint (Feb. 6, 2025) Amended Complaint (Feb. 13, 2025) | Feb. 9, 2025 | The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created by Congress in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 great recession, to support and protect American consumers in the financial marketplace. On Feb. 7, 2025, Elon Musk posted “CFPB RIP” with a tombstone emoji on his X account. On Feb. 8, Russell Vought, the Acting Director of the CFPB, posted on X that he had notified the Federal Reserve that CFPB would not take “its next draw of unappropriated funding because it is not ‘reasonably necessary’ to carry out its duties.” In an email to CFPB employees, Vought directed the CFPB workforce to “cease all supervision and examination activity,” “cease all stakeholder engagement,” pause all pending investigations, not issue any public communications, and pause “enforcement actions.” He also notified the CFPB workforce that the Washington headquarters would be closed for the coming week. Plaintiffs allege that preventing CFPB from drawing down more funding and ordering a halt on enforcement activities constitutes an unlawful attempt to thwart Congress’s decision to create CFPB, which would be a violation of the separation of powers. They seek a declaratory judgment that Vought’s directives are unlawful and an injunction that prevents him from further attempts to dismantle CFPB’s supervision and enforcement work. Update 1: On Feb. 13, Plaintiffs moved for an administrative stay and TRO enjoining defendants from taking action to terminate CFPB staff, requiring that cease work directives be lifted, and enjoining further efforts to suspend operations at CFPB. Update 2: On Feb. 14, 2025, the court ordered that the defendants not delete, destroy, remove, or impair records; terminate any employee other than for cause or issue any notice of reduction-in-force to any CFPB employee; or disburse any funds, except to satisfy CFPB’s operating obligations, pending the resolution of plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO. The order also reclassified plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO as a motion for a preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-14 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Dismantling of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | Mayor and City Council of Baltimore et al. v. CFPB (D. Md.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00458-ABA | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | On Feb. 7, 2025, President Trump named OMB Director Russell Vought as the Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). On Feb. 8, Vought instructed CFPB employees to stop performing any work tasks and notified the Federal Reserve Board of Governors that he was requesting $0 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. Plaintiffs allege that these and other statements and actions by Vought, President Trump, and Elon Musk indicate that the CFPB will be deprived of operating funds and will be unable to perform its statutorily mandated functions. Plaintiffs allege that the Baltimore City Law Department has an active account with the CFPB and uses the CFPB customer complaint database and attends trainings put on by the CFPB. Plaintiffs also claim injury because their constituents will be deprived of the CFPB’s enforcement actions against predatory business practices. The second plaintiff, Economic Action Maryland Fund, is a direct services nonprofit that operates in Maryland. For part of its work, the organization relies on the CFPB complaint databases and other resources CFPB publishes under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Plaintiffs claim that defendants’ actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act (including that Vought’s actions allegedly violate the statutory requirement for the Director to request transfer of an amount “reasonably necessary to carry out the authorities of the Bureau under Federal consumer financial law.” Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment saying as much, as well as an injunction that would prevent defendants from defunding CFPB. Update 1: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO enjoining defendants from defunding the CFPB. | 2025-02-12 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Termination of Inspectors General | Storch et al. v. Hegseth et al. (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00415 | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | On Jan. 24, 2025, the White House sent two-sentence emails to several Inspectors General (IGs) of federal departments and agencies informing them that they had been terminated from their positions. Plaintiffs, eight IGs, subsequently lost access to their government email accounts and computer systems, and were barred from entering their offices, among other actions. They filed suit, arguing their removal violates the Inspector General Act, which requires Congressional notification 30 days before an IG is removed and substantive, case-specific rationale for removal. The suit also argues defendants’ actions are ultra vires; and that plaintiffs are entitled to a writ of mandamus compelling defendants not to obstruct them in the exercise of their duties. They seek a declaratory judgment that the termination emails are legally ineffective and that plaintiffs remain lawful IGs in their agencies; and an injunction to prevent defendants from taking action to prevent plaintiffs from carrying out their duties as IGs. Update 1: On Feb. 14, the judge reportedly told lawyers representing the fired inspectors general to withdraw their motion for a temporary restraining order. | 2025-02-14 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Termination of Inspectors General | American Oversight v. Department of Government Efficiency (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00409 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief compelling DOGE and OMB to comply with FOIA requests pertaining to communications by Elon Musk and other staff concerning the dismissal of Inspectors General. American Oversight submitted a FOIA request to DOGE and OMB for records from Jan. 20, 2025 to Jan. 28, 2025 for all email, text, and messaging communications from Elon Musk, key staff at DOGE, and a number of external parties in the Senate, related to the removal of inspectors general from 17 federal agencies on Jan. 24, 2025. American Oversight submits that “Defendant U.S. DOGE Service is a department or agency subject to FOIA.” The Plaintiff alleges that DOGE and OMB have failed to notify them of a final determination regarding their FOIA request and asks the court for expedited review, attorneys fees, and other proper relief. | 2025-02-11 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Large-scale reductions in force (Executive Order 14210) | National Treasury Employees Union v. Donald Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00420 | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | On Feb. 11, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order instructing agency heads to “undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force (RIFs).” Plaintiffs allege that the executive order, along with the Office of Personnel Management’s “deferred resignation program,” violates separation of powers principles by undermining Congress’s authority, and the Administrative Procedure Act by imposing RIFs contrary to regulations. They seek a declaration that mass firings and the deferred resignation program are unlawful, along with injunctions to prevent agency heads from implementing RIFs and OPM from extending, expanding, or replicating its deferred resignation program. | 2025-02-12 |
| Structure of Government/Personnel | Executive Action: Termination of probationary employees | American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. Office of Personnel Management and Ezell (N.D. Cal.) Case No. 3:25-cv-01780 | Complaint (Feb. 19, 2025); Amended Complaint (Feb. 23, 2025) | Feb. 19, 2025 | On Feb. 13, 2025, the Office of Personnel Management and Acting Director Charles Ezell ordered federal agencies to terminate tens of thousands of probationary employees en masse. Probationary employees are members of the competitive service in their first year of employment or of the excepted service in their first two years of employment, and may also include long-time federal workers who have recently been employed in a new position or a new agency. Among the factual claims, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants sent agencies “standardized notices of termination, drafted by OPM, that falsely state that the terminations are for performance reasons.” Plaintiffs allege that the mass termination violates multiple requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act and separation of powers principles by overriding Congressional statutes authorizing and regulating agency hiring and firing. They seek a declaration that the mass termination is unlawful and a preliminary or permanent injunction setting aside OPM’s order, ceasing terminations pursuant to the order, and rescinding any prior unlawful terminations. Update 1: On Feb. 23, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint alleging that OPM further violated the APA by sending emails to government employees requesting updates on their week-to-week accomplishments and Musk’s stating that “[f]ailure to respond will be taken as a resignation.” Update 2: On Feb. 27, Judge William Alsup reportedly ruled from the bench that OPM had no legal authority to issue directives for other agencies to fire probationary employees. Alsup noted that, due to jurisdictional issues, his order applies only to employees at six agencies (the National Park Service, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense), and that he could not directly order agencies to cease the firings. As for other agencies not covered, Alsup said, “I am going to count on the government to do the right thing, and to go a little bit further than I have ordered, and to let some of these agencies know what I have ruled.” Update 3: On Feb. 28, Judge Alsup issued an Opinion and a written Order for a TRO. The Order states that OPM’s memos directing the termination of probationary workers were “unlawful, invalid, and must be stopped and rescinded,” and that OPM must provide written notice of the order to the six agencies. | 2025-02-28 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: “Temporary Pause” of grants, loans, and assistance programs | National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00239-LLA | Complaint | Jan. 28, 2025 | The Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum purported to “require every federal agency to temporarily pause” any agency activities “that may be implicated by [President Trump’s] executive orders.” The plaintiff organizations, represented by Democracy Forward, are small businesses and nonprofits that receive federal funds. The suit sought a temporary restraining order to allow the Court “an opportunity to more fully consider the illegality of OMB’s actions,” alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and the First Amendment. Update 1: On Jan. 28, 2025, Judge Loren AliKhan of the District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order against the OMB policy to allow arguments from the plaintiffs and the government. Update 2: On Jan. 29, 2025, the Government submitted a Notice that the OMB had rescinded the challenged memo. On the same day, the White House Press Secretary stated, “This is not a rescission of the federal funding freeze. It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. Why? To end any confusion created by the court's injunction. The President's EO's on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.” Update 3: On Feb. 3, 2025, Judge Alikhan issued a temporary restraining order blocking the OMB from implementing its funding freeze, finding that the Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their claim that the directive was arbitrary and capricious under the APA, and that the post-complaint rescission of the memorandum was “disingenuous” and still causing irreparable injury. The order directed the OMB to release the frozen funds, notify agencies of this TRO, and file a status report on compliance by Feb. 7, 2025. Update 4: On Feb. 11, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Trump Administration from reinstating the funding freeze. The Government filed a memorandum in opposition to the motion, and plaintiffs replied. The hearing was held on Feb. 20. Update 5: On Feb. 25, the court issued a memorandum opinion and granted the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining the Trump administration from implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the blanket freeze on disbursement of Federal funds. | 2025-02-25 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: “Temporary Pause” of grants, loans, and assistance programs | New York et al v. Donald J. Trump et al (D.R.I.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00039 | Complaint | Jan. 28, 2025 | The Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum purported to “require every federal agency to temporarily pause” any agency activities “that may be implicated by [President Trump’s] executive orders.” The attorneys general of 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against enforcement of the policy. The suit alleges that the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the First Amendment. Update 1: On Jan. 28, responding to National Council of Nonprofits v. Office of Management and Budget, Judge Loren AliKhan of the District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order against the OMB policy to allow arguments from the plaintiffs and the government. Update 2: On Jan. 29, the Government submitted a Notice that the OMB had rescinded the challenged memo. On the same day, the White House Press Secretary stated, “This is not a rescission of the federal funding freeze. It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo. Why? To end any confusion created by the court's injunction. The President's EO's on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.” Update 3: On January 31, Judge McConnell issued a temporary restraining order against the OMB policy to allow the states to file their motion for a preliminary injunction. Judge McConnell’s order notes that the case is not moot because “the alleged rescission of the OMB Directive was in name only and may have been issued simply to defeat the jurisdiction of the courts.” The judge also wrote, "the States are likely to succeed on the merits of some, if not all, their claims." Update 4: On Feb. 10, Judge McConnell granted Plaintiffs’ motion to enforce the temporary restraining order. Judge McConnell noted the Plaintiff States presented evidence suggesting that Defendants “have continued to improperly freeze federal funds and refused to resume disbursement of appropriated federal funds” (citing three exhibits). Judge McConnell emphasized that this is a violation of the TRO and ordered Defendants to immediately restore frozen funding. Update 5: On Feb. 14, the First Circuit issued a voluntary dismissal of defendants’ motion to appeal the decision. | 2025-02-14 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: “Temporary Pause” of grants, loans, and assistance programs | Shapiro et al. v. Department of Interior et al. (E.D. Pa.) Case No. 2:25-cv-00763 | Complaint | Feb. 13, 2025 | The Plaintiffs—Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and four Pennsylvania governmental departments—allege that five Executive Orders and a subsequent OMB Directive froze funds already appropriated to various departments and projects in Pennsylvania. The complaint describes five different communications from EPA, HHS, and DOE after the Jan. 27 OMB Directive. None of these communications identified specific programs or funds that would be terminated, and none cited any legal authority. Much of this funding was appropriated under either the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The plaintiffs allege that, in total, the funding freeze jeopardizes at least $5.5 billion that had been committed to Pennsylvania, and over $1 billion of which had already been obligated. The plaintiffs note the ongoing litigation on the funding freeze, but they claim that, despite the court action – Jan. 31 TRO (D.R.I.), the Feb. 3 TRO (D.D.C.), the Feb. 7 motion to enforce the TRO (D.R.I.), and the Feb. 11 denial of the defendants’ motion for an administrative stay (1st Cir.) – as of Feb. 13, over $1.2 billion in grant funding is suspended and more than $900 million is marked as requiring further federal review before being approved. Plaintiffs claim that defendants’ actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act because they are contrary to law (contrary to the IRA and the IIJA) and are arbitrary and capricious. Plaintiffs also claim that defendants’ actions are unconstitutional, violating both the Take Care Clause and the Spending Clause. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that defendants’ actions are illegal and seek an injunction to prevent defendants from freezing or interfering with congressionally appropriated funds. | 2025-02-13 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: Denial of federal grants | City of New York v. Trump et al. (S.D.N.Y.) Case No. 1:25-cv-01510 | Complaint | Feb. 21, 2025 | On Feb. 11, 2025, FEMA clawed back $80 million that it had disbursed to New York City one week earlier. The funds had previously been approved by FEMA as reimbursement under the Shelter and Services Programs (SSP) to offset the City’s costs of providing housing and services for noncitizen migrants. Plaintiff alleges that FEMA had “reviewed and approved the City’s request [for funds], and issued payment, [and yet] Defendants grabbed the money back without any administrative process whatsoever.” The complaint alleges that Defendants attempted to cloak their actions “with a veneer of administrative process,” including by issuing a “noncompliance” letter to the City’s Office of Management and Budget with “Findings” that SSP funds were being used for “illegal activities.” Plaintiff alleges that the noncompliance letter was pretextual and that Defendants’ “real intent … is to withhold the funds permanently because they oppose the purposes for which the funds were appropriated, awarded, approved, and paid.” Plaintiff sues for injunctive relief to compel Defendants to return the funds to the City. Plaintiff also seeks a declaration that Defendants’ actions are arbitrary and capricious, in excess of authority, and without observance of lawful procedures. | 2025-02-21 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: Reduction of indirect cost reimbursement rate for research institutions (NIH Guidance) | Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10338 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | The National Institutes of Health’s guidance imposes an across-the-board 15 percent reimbursement rate for “indirect costs” of medical research, which research institutions have historically negotiated on an individual basis. Plaintiffs, 22 state governments whose public research institutions will face hardship under the policy, allege that the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act – including as an “arbitrary and capricious” change that failed to weigh reliance interests and that involves a reversal of fact-finding and as an action in excess the NIH’s statutory authority and in violation of Congress’s express directives in appropriating NIH funding. They seek declaratory judgment and a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions against implementing the policy in the plaintiff states. On Feb. 10, 2025, Judge Angel Kelley granted the plaintiffs emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and imposed a regular reporting requirement on the part of the administration to confirm compliance. | 2025-02-10 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: Reduction of indirect cost reimbursement rate for research institutions (NIH Guidance) | Association of American Universities, et al. v. Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10346 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidance imposes an across-the-board 15 percent reimbursement rate for “indirect costs” of medical research, which research institutions have historically negotiated on an individual basis. Plaintiffs, including associations representing universities and college and individual universities, allege the reduction in indirect cost rate to 15% will have immediate destructive effects on NIH-funded research. They sued, arguing the policy is unlawful under of the Administrative Procedure Act in that it (1) is contrary to law in that it departs from the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2024; (2) is contrary to law as it violates the Constitution’s Appropriation Clause; (3) is contrary to law as it departs from negotiated cost rates provided by 45 C.F.R. 75.414 and NIH Grants Policy Statement; (4) is an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion; (5) is contrary to law as it departs from HHS cost recovery regulations and policy guidance; (6) fails to observe required notice-and-comment procedures; (7) is contrary to law violates the Public Health Service Act; and (8) is in excess of statutory authority as a retroactive action. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the policy is unlawful and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. Later on Feb. 10, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order to prohibit Defendants from implementing the policy. | 2025-02-10 |
| Government Grants, Loans and Assistance | Executive Action: Reduction of indirect cost reimbursement rate for research institutions (NIH Guidance) | Association of American Medical Colleges v. National Institutes of Health (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10340 | Complaint | Feb. 10, 2025 | The National Institutes of Health’s guidance imposes an across-the-board 15 percent reimbursement rate for “indirect costs” of medical research, which research institutions have historically negotiated on an individual basis. Plaintiffs, including associations representing universities, hospitals, and health systems across the country, allege that the Rate Change Notice is invalid under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”) and seek to enjoin any actions taken to implement its directives. They argue that the Rate Change Notice is contrary to Health and Human Services’s (HHS) existing regulations and the 2024 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act. Moreover, they contend that it is arbitrary and capricious and failed to undergo required notice and comment rulemaking. Update 1: On February 10, 2025, Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide temporary restraining order against the NIH policy. | 2025-02-10 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Housing of transgender inmates (Executive Order 14168) | Maria Moe v. Donald Trump, et al (D. Mass.) Case No. 1:25-cv-10195-GAO | Complaint | Jan. 26, 2025 | Trump’s Executive Order mandates that federal inmates be housed according to sex defined as “immutable biological classification,” regardless of gender identity, and directs the Bureau of Prisons not to expend federal funds on gender-affirming care. The plaintiff, Maria Moe, is a transgender female federal inmate who was placed in a Special Housing Unit to await transfer to a men’s facility. The suit seeks to enjoin the Executive Order on the basis that it violates the 5th Amendment by discriminating against transgender individuals on the basis of sex and gender identity; the 8th Amendment by subjecting Moe to risk to life and dignity; the Rehabilitation Act by failing to accommodate Moe’s gender dysphoria; and the Administrative Procedure Act by doing so in an arbitrary and capricious manner. Update 1: On Jan. 26, the judge reportedly issued a temporary restraining order requiring prison officials to maintain Moe's medical care and not to transfer her from the general population of the women's facility. Update 2: On Feb. 7, the judge issued an order transferring the case “to the United States District Court for the district in which [Moe] is currently confined” and terminating proceedings in the District of Massachusetts. The order does not identify the District, noting that “[t]he parties are familiar with the proper district based on the sealed documents previously filed in this matter.” | 2025-02-07 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Housing of transgender inmates (Executive Order 14168) | Doe v. McHenry (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00286-RCL | Complaint | Jan. 30, 2025 | Trump’s Executive Order mandates that federal inmates be housed according to sex defined as “immutable biological classification,” regardless of gender identity, and directs the Bureau of Prisons not to expend federal funds on gender-affirming care. The plaintiffs are three transgender women federal inmates, have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and are housed in female facilities. All have been informed that they will be transferred imminently to men’s facilities. The suit seeks a declaratory judgement that the executive order violates the plaintiffs’ rights under the 5th Amendment by discriminating on the basis of sex; the 8th Amendment by failure to protect through exposing plaintiffs to risk of serious harm and by cruel and unusual punishment by refusing necessary medical care; the Rehabilitation Act by failing to accommodate plaintiffs’ gender dysphoria and disability discrimination; and the Administrative Procedure Act by doing so in an arbitrary and capricious manner. The complaint seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the government from carrying out the executive order and requiring it to maintain the plaintiffs’ housing and medical treatment consistent with the status quo prior to the order. Update 1: On Feb. 4, 2025, Judge Royce Lamberth issued a temporary restraining order and enjoined the government blocking it from transferring the plaintiffs or from discontinuing the plaintiffs’ medical care. Update 2: On Feb. 18, Judge Lamberth granted the preliminary injunction, enjoining implementation Section 4(a) and 4(c) of the Executive Order against plaintiffs. Update 3: On Feb. 21, Plaintiffs filed a memorandum and motion for a TRO and expanded preliminary injunction to cover all Plaintiffs in the First Amendment Complaint. Update 4: On Feb. 24, Judge Lamberth issued an Order granting the request for an expanded preliminary injunction covering the additional plaintiffs. | 2025-02-24 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Housing of transgender inmates (Executive Order 14168) | Jones v. Trump (D.D.C) Case No. 1:25-cv-00401 | Complaint (Feb. 10, 2025) Amended Complaint (Feb. 28, 2025) | Feb. 10, 2025 | Trump’s Executive Order 14168 mandates that federal inmates be housed according to sex defined as “immutable biological classification,” regardless of gender identity, and directs the Bureau of Prisons not to expend federal funds on gender-affirming care. Plaintiff is a transgender woman who had previously been transferred from a women’s to a men’s unit of a BOP facility. She has since been transferred back, but she “now fears at any moment she will again be transferred to a men’s prison pursuant to Executive Order 14166[sic].” Plaintiff alleges that she is unsafe in any men’s prison, and she is also at imminent risk of losing access to medical care to treat her gender dysphoria. She brings claims alleging violations of the Fifth Amendment, Eighth Amendment, Rehabilitation Act, and Administrative Procedure Act, and she seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to enjoin enforcement of the EO. Update 1: Feb. 21, Plaintiff filed a motion for a TRO and preliminary injunction on an emergency basis to stop Defendants from enforcing two sections of Executive Order 14168: Section 4(a), which requires inmate segregation based on biological sex, and Section 4(c), which bars federal prisons from providing medical care that would align inmates' physical characteristics with their gender identity. Update 2: On Feb. 24, the court granted plaintiff's motion for a TRO and Preliminary Injunction, stopping the Administration from enforcing Sections 4(a) and 4(c) of Executive Order 14168 and maintaining Plaintiff’s housing and medical treatment. Update 3: Feb. 28, five additional Plaintiffs were added through an Amended Complaint, and they submitted a motion for a TRO and preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-28 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Ban on transgender individuals serving in the military (Executive Order 14183) | Nicolas Talbott, et al. v. Donald Trump, et al. (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00240 | Complaint | Jan. 28, 2025 | On January 27, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. The order rescinds prior policy allowing transgender individuals to serve openly if they meet military standards. This order categorically prohibits both enlistment and continued service, deeming transgender individuals incompatible with military standards of “troop readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity.” The plaintiffs are a group of active duty transgender service members and prospective or current enlistees. They argue that the categorical exclusion of this class of individuals from military service violates equal protection under the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause because the policy is arbitrary and lacks a legitimate government interest. Update 1: On Feb. 3, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction against implementation of the Executive Order. Update 2: On Feb. 4, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO against implementation of the Executive Order. Update 3: On Feb, 5, the court ordered the Government to notify plaintiffs and the court of any Department of Defense policy or guidance implementing the Executive Order. If any such action is taken, the court will entertain Plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO. Update 4: In response to the Court’s order to update any policies or guidance implementing Executive Order 14168 (“Defending Women from Gender Extremism…”) or Executive Order 14183 (“Prioritizing Miliary…”), the government filed a memorandum for Senior Pentagon Leadership Commanders of the Combatant Commands Defense Agency and DoD Field Activity Directors, released on February 26, 2025, Subject: Additional Guidance on Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness. The Memorandum requires updating of military guidance as it relates to transgender service members and provides a new policy, “Service Members and Applicants for Military Service who Have a Current Diagnosis or History of, or Exhibit Symptoms Consistent with, Gender Dysphoria.” The new policy states that “Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,” and orders that “steps to identify Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria within 30 days of this memorandum.” It also states that “history of cross-sex hormone therapy or sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery as treatment for gender dysphoria or in pursuit of a sex transition, is disqualifying,” including already-extended offers of admission to military academies, and applies restrictions on individuals post-separation benefits eligibility. While waivers are available, the applicant “must be willing and able to adhere to all applicable standards, including the standards associated with the applicant's sex.” | 2025-02-26 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Ban on transgender individuals serving in the military (Executive Order 14183) | Shilling v. Trump (W.D. Wash.) Case No. 2:25-cv-00241 | Complaint | Feb. 6, 2025 | On Jan. 27, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. The order rescinds prior policy allowing transgender individuals to serve openly if they meet military standards. Plaintiffs, including active and prospective trans service members and an organization representing transgender military members, argue that the ban violates the equal protection and due process guarantees of the Fifth Amendment and the free speech guarantee of the First Amendment. They seek declaratory judgment and a permanent injunction against enforcement of the executive order. Update 1: On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs filed motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the enforcement of the executive order as to Plaintiffs and other current and aspiring transgender servicemembers. | 2025-02-19 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Ban on gender affirming care for individuals under the age of 19 ( Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14187) | PFLAG, Inc. v. Trump (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00337-BAH | Complaint | Feb. 4, 2025 | On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order prohibiting the federal government from expending federal funds to promote “gender ideology,” the idea that gender identity can differ from biological sex. On January 28, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the federal government to bar medical institutes that receive research and education grants, including medical schools and hospitals, from administering gender affirming care to individuals under the age of 19. The order also ended coverage for gender affirming care in government-provided medical benefits, and ordered the Office of Management and Budget to instruct private health insurers that government employee plans were barred from covering such care. Finally, the order directs the Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement against female genital mutilation and develop legislation for a private right of action against medical professionals performing gender-affirming procedures, pursuant to an older statute against female genital mutilation. PFLAG and other plaintiffs filed suit, arguing the orders constitute unconstitutional presidential action in excess of Article II authority; discriminate on the basis of sex and disability in violation of statutes; violate the Fifth Amendment’s equal protection and substantive due process guarantees; and abridge the First Amendment’s free speech clause. Plaintiffs seek to have the orders declared unconstitutional and unlawful, and asking for temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief. Update 1: On Feb. 5, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO against implementation of the Executive Order. Update 2: On Feb 13, Judge Brendan Abell Hurson issued a two-week TRO, blocking enforcement of the Executive Order. Update 3: On Feb. 18, Plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of the Executive Order. Update 4: On Feb. 26, Plaintiffs moved to extend the TRO. Judge Hurson extended the TRO until March 5, 2025. | 2025-02-26 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Ban on gender affirming care for individuals under the age of 19 ( Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14187) | State of Washington et al. v. Donald J. Trump et al. (W.D. Wash) Case No. 2:25-cv-00244 | Complaint (Feb. 7, 2025); Amended Complaint (Feb. 19, 2025) | Feb. 7, 2025 | On Jan. 28, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the federal government to bar medical institutes that receive research and education grants, including medical schools and hospitals, from administering gender affirming care to individuals under the age of 19. The order also ended coverage for gender affirming care in government-provided medical benefits, and ordered the Office of Management and Budget to instruct private health insurers that government employee plans were barred from covering such care. Finally, the order directs the Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement against female genital mutilation and develop legislation for a private right of action against medical professionals performing gender-affirming procedures, pursuant to an older statute against female genital mutilation. Three states and three physicians filed suit, arguing that Executive Order 14187 violates Fifth Amendment equal protection by creating classifications and facially discriminating on the basis of transgender status and sex without sufficient government interest. Plaintiffs also allege that the order violates separation of powers by imposing conditions on the receipt of funding by the plaintiff states’ medical institutions, whereas Congress never authorized such a provision and explicitly barred medical institutions from denying individuals access to federally funded services based on gender dysphoria under 29 U.S.C. § 794. Finally, the plaintiffs allege that the order violates the Tenth Amendment by regulating and threatening criminal prosecution against certain consensual medical practices, thus unlawfully intruding on the states’ traditional police powers over local public health. Update 1: On Feb. 7, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO against implementation of the Executive Order. Update 2: On Feb. 14, Judge Lauren King issued a two-week TRO, blocking enforcement of Section 4 and Section 8(a) of Executive Order 14187 within Plaintiff States; on Feb. 16, the court issued an Opinion in the matter. Update 3: On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the State of Colorado as a plaintiff and a Fifth Amendment Due Process claim for vagueness. Plaintiffs moved separately for a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Executive Order. | 2025-02-19 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Passport policy targeting transgender people (Executive Order 14168) | Orr v. Trump (D. Mass) Case No. 1:25-cv-10313 | Complaint | Feb. 7, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order stating that there are only two sexes, male and female, and that they are determined by immutable biological factors at conception. The order directed the Secretary of State to change policies related to documents like passports to align with the order’s definition of sex. The State Department subsequently stopped processing passport applications of individuals seeking to change their sex designation, or who selected an “X” designation. Plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU, sued, arguing the policy is unconstitutional and violates the 5th Amendment’s equal protection guarantee by discriminating on the basis of sex and transgender status; violates the Fifth Amendment by restricting the right of free movement and travel; violates the Fifth Amendment by forcing disclosure of private and intimate information; and violates the First Amendment by compelling the speech of transgender applicants through their passports. Plaintiffs also argue the policy is unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act, as contrary to constitutional rights, powers, and immunities; as an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion; and by failing to observe procedures as required by law in instituting the policy without a comment period. They seek a declaratory judgment that the policy is unconstitutional and unlawful; preliminary and permanent injunctions stopping the policy from being implemented; and an order vacating agency actions already taken under the policy. Update 1: On Feb. 18, Plaintiffs moved for preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Executive Order. | 2025-02-18 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14201) | Tirrell v. Edelblut (D.N.H.) Case No. 1:24-cv-00251 | Complaint; Amended Complaint (underlying case filed Aug. 16, 2024) | Feb. 12, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14168, stating that there are only two sexes, male and female, and that they are determined by immutable biological factors at conception. On Feb. 5, the administration issued Executive Order 14201, directing the federal government to interpret and enforce Title IX under the sex definitions provided in Executive Order 14168, which would bar transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports. Plaintiffs, two transgender teenage athletes in New Hampshire, previously filed suit against the state, arguing a state law banning transgender women from competing in school sports was unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment and a violation of Title IX. On Sept. 10, 2024, the court ordered a preliminary injunction against the state law. On Feb. 12, following the Trump administration’s executive order, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint, seeking to add federal defendants to the suit. The amended complaint argues the executive order (1) unconstitutionally violates Fifth Amendment equal protection rights; (2) is an ultra vires action in conflict with Title IX; and (3) is an ultra vires action to withhold Congressionally appropriated funds. They seek a declaratory judgment that the executive order is unconstitutional and unlawful; and a permanent injunction enjoining its enforcement. | 2025-02-12 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Immigration enforcement against places of worship and schools (Policy Memo) | Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D. Md.) Case No. 8:25-cv-00243-TDC | Complaint (Jan. 27, 2025) Amended Complaint (Feb. 5, 2025) | Jan. 27, 2025 | On January 20, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive rescinding the Biden Administration’s guidelines for ICE and CBP enforcement actions that restricted agents from conducting immigration enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals. Under the new policy guidance, immigration enforcement in such areas would only be subject to the enforcement officers’ “common sense.” The plaintiffs, a coalition of Quaker congregations, seek to enjoin enforcement of this policy change and request a court declaration that any government policy permitting immigration enforcement based solely on subjective common sense is an unconstitutional violation of the freedom of expressive association under the First Amendment. Their complaint also claims that the new policy violates the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. Update 1: On Feb. 4, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO and preliminary injunction against implementation of the Executive Order. Update 2: On Feb. 24, the court granted in part a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the DHS 2025 directive in or near any place of worship owned or used by the plaintiff organizations without an administrative or judicial warrant; and instead requiring adherence to the 2021 guidelines. The court also issued a Memorandum Opinion, which explained its reasons for not issuing a nationwide injunction based on the particulars of the Plaintiffs' organizations and their affidavits. | 2025-02-24 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Immigration enforcement against places of worship and schools (Policy Memo) | Mennonite Church USA et al. v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00403 | Complaint | Feb. 11, 2025 | On January 20, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive rescinding the Biden Administration’s guidelines for ICE and CBP enforcement actions that restricted agents from conducting immigration enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals. Over two dozen Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations sued for a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting DHS from effectuating the directive. The complaint asserts that DHS’s authorization of immigration enforcement action at plaintiffs’ places of worship in the absence of exigent circumstances or a judicial warrant violates their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the First Amendment. In addition, the complaint alleges that DHS’s manner of recission of the “sensitive locations policy” violates legal constraints on agency action. Update 1: On Feb. 21, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction enjoining Defendants from carrying out immigration enforcement activities at their places of worship absent exigent circumstances or a judicial warrant. | 2025-02-21 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Immigration enforcement against places of worship and schools (Policy Memo) | Denver Public Schools v. Noem (D. Colo) Case No. 1:25-cv-00474 | Complaint | Feb. 12, 2025 | On January 20, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive rescinding the Biden Administration’s guidelines for ICE and CBP enforcement actions that restricted agents from conducting immigration enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals. Denver Public Schools filed a suit challenging the recission of the policy, alleging that DHS implemented this major policy change through internal memoranda that have never been publicly released, with the shift announced only through a press release. According to the complaint, the new policy allegedly replaces three decades of formal protections with vague guidance that agents should use "common sense" in deciding whether to conduct enforcement actions at sensitive locations. The Plaintiff argues that this reversal of a decades-old policy constitutes final agency action subject to review under the Administrative Procedure Act, and that DHS failed to meet the basic requirements for changing established policy — including the need to provide reasoned explanation for the change, consider reliance interests, and examine alternatives. The Plaintiff further alleges that DHS’s failure to publish the policy memoranda violates FOIA disclosure requirements. The suit asks the court to enjoin and vacate the new policy and require the 2025 policy to be made public. Update 1: On Feb. 12, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO and preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Executive Order. | 2025-02-12 |
| Civil Liberties and Rights | Executive Action: Denying Press Access to the White House | The Associated Press v. Budowich (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00532 | Complaint | Feb. 21, 2025 | On Feb. 11, 2025, White House officials banned AP journalists from entering areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One as members of the press pool unless the AP began referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. On Feb. 21, the AP filed suit, claiming that the ban (1) violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause on the alleged grounds that the ban removes the AP from spaces it has used “for over a century” and was announced with no prior notice, no written notice, no opportunity to challenge before it took effect, and no formal opportunity to challenge since; and (2) violates the First Amendment on the alleged grounds that the ban is an attempt to compel the AP’s speech and retaliation for the AP’s exercise of its protected rights of expression. The Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that denying AP access is unconstitutional, and a court order that the White House rescind the policy. On Feb. 21, 2025, the AP also filed a motion for a TRO and a motion for a preliminary injunction. Update 1: On Feb. 24, in a 2-page order, Judge Trevor N. McFadden denied the motion for a preliminary injunction but noted that the court had ordered expedited hearings for consideration of a preliminary injunction. | 2025-02-24 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Ban on DEIA initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14151; Executive Order 14173) | Nat’l Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Ed. v. Trump (D. Md.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00333-ABA | Complaint | Feb. 3, 2025 | On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the OMB Director, assisted by the Attorney General and OPM, to terminate DEI programs, offices and positions, and “equity-related” grants and contracts. On January 21, 2025, the administration issued another executive order revoking an Equal Employment Opportunity executive order in place since 1965; requiring federal grant recipients and contractors to certify that they do not operate DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination laws; and requiring each executive agency to identify up to nine corporations or nonprofit entities or associations to target with civil investigations to deter DEI programs. Plaintiffs argue the first order is an unconstitutional violation of the Spending Clause and the 5th Amendment’s due process guarantee for vagueness. They argue the second order unconstitutionally violates 5th Amendment due process for vagueness; the 1st Amendment’s free speech clause; and the separation of powers. They seek declaratory judgments that both orders are unlawful and unconstitutional, and preliminary and permanent injunctions against both. Update 1: On Feb. 13, Plaintiffs moved for a TRO and preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Executive Orders. Update 2: On Feb. 18, Defendants filed a response against Plaintiffs' motion for a TRO and preliminary injunction, arguing, inter alia, that two of four Plaintiffs lack standing and that Plaintiffs' claims fail on merits. On Feb. 19, Plaintiffs filed a supplemental brief in support for a TRO and preliminary injunction. Update 3: On Feb. 21, Judge Adam B. Abelson issued a memorandum opinion and granted the preliminary injunction in large part, enjoining implementation of the Termination Provision of Executive Order 14151 and of the Certification and Enforcement Threat Provisions of Executive Order 14173. The court stated that “Plaintiffs’ irreparable harms include widespread chilling of unquestionably protected speech." The court also denied the preliminary injunction in part, allowing the Attorney General to prepare the report pursuant to Executive Order 14173 and to engage in an investigation. Update 4: On Feb. 24, the Defendant submitted a notice of appeal to the Fourth Circuit. | 2025-02-24 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Ban on DEIA initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14151; Executive Order 14173) | Doe 1 v. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (E.D.Va.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00300-AJT-LRV | Complaint | Feb. 17, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the OMB Director, assisted by the Attorney General and OPM, to terminate DEI programs, offices and positions, and “equity-related” grants and contracts. Plaintiffs are U.S. intelligence officers who were assigned to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives at ODNI and CIA. The complaint alleges that Defendants placed Plaintiffs on administrative leave “apparently only because of [Plaintiffs’] temporary assignments to personnel functions involving DEIA.” Plaintiffs bring several causes of action. First, they claim that Defendants violated the Administrative Leave Act by placing Plaintiffs on leave for more than ten work days, despite the fact that no worker misconduct had been alleged. Second, Plaintiffs maintain that Defendants violated the Administrative Procedure Act, because Plaintiffs’ “imminent termination” is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, not in accordance with [Intelligence Community] regulations, and unsupported by any evidentiary record whatsoever.” Third, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants violated the First and Fifth Amendments by firing Plaintiffs on the basis of “their assumed beliefs about a domestic political issue [DEIA]” and causing them to lose “their property interest in their employment without due process of law.” The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief. The plaintiffs also submitted a request for a temporary restraining order. Update 1: On Feb 18, the court issued an administrative stay blocking the termination of plaintiffs’ employment or placing plaintiffs on leave without pay. Update 2: On Feb. 20, Defendants filed a motion in opposition to the plaintiffs’ request for a TRO. Update 3: On Feb. 27, the court vacated its prior administrative stay and denied plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order. Judge Anthony Trenga extended the employees’ deadline to accept the administration’s deferred resignation program to Monday, March 3. | 2025-02-27 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Ban on DEIA initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14151; Executive Order 14173) | National Urban League v. Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00471 | Complaint | Feb. 19, 2025 | On Jan. 20, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing the OMB Director, assisted by the Attorney General and OPM, to terminate DEI programs, offices and positions, and “equity-related” grants and contracts. On Jan. 21, the administration issued another executive order revoking an Equal Employment Opportunity executive order applying to contractors, in place since 1965; requiring federal grant recipients and contractors to certify that they do not operate DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination laws; and requiring each executive agency to identify up to nine corporations or nonprofit entities or associations to target with civil investigations to deter DEI programs. Plaintiffs, non-profits that receive federal funding for programs designed to serve vulnerable populations, allege that the executive orders violate the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech, the Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process guarantees, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Plaintiffs allege the same regarding Executive Order 14168, which takes similar action against programs involving trans rights, violates the same laws. Plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the executive orders are unlawful, rescission of the executive orders, and permanent injunctions against any actions taken to enforce the executive orders. | 2025-02-19 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Ban on DEIA initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14151; Executive Order 14173) | San Francisco AIDS Foundation et al v. Trump (D.D.C.) Case No. 3:25-cv-1824 | Complaint | Feb. 20, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order to “[defend] women from gender ideology extremism and [restore] biological truth to the federal government.” That same day, the President issued an executive order directing the OMB Director, assisted by the Attorney General and OPM, to terminate DEI programs, offices and positions, and “equity-related” grants and contracts. On Jan. 21, the administration issued a third executive order revoking an Equal Employment Opportunity executive order in place since 1965; requiring federal grant recipients and contractors to certify that they do not operate DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination laws; and requiring each executive agency to identify up to nine corporations or nonprofit entities or associations to target with civil investigations to deter DEI programs. Plaintiffs allege that these three executive orders “pose an existential threat to transgender people and the organizations that respect their existence, shield them from harm, provide them with life-saving services and community, and engage in core protected speech advocating for their liberation.” Specifically, Plaintiffs claim that the EOs: 1) have been used by Defendants to engage in viewpoint and content discrimination in violation of the First Amendment, (2) violate the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment and are void for vagueness, (3) exceed the President’s powers under Article II of the Constitution by usurping congressional authority, and (4) violate the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent implementation and enforcement of the EOs. | 2025-02-20 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Ban on DEIA initiatives in the executive branch and by contractors (Executive Order 14168; Executive Order 14151; Executive Order 14173) | Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump (N.D. Ill.) Case No. 1:25-cv-02005 | Complaint | Feb. 26, 2025 | On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order to “[defend] women from gender ideology extremism and [restore] biological truth to the federal government.” That same day, the President issued an executive order directing the OMB Director, assisted by the Attorney General and OPM, to terminate DEI programs, offices and positions, and “equity-related” grants and contracts. On Jan. 21, the administration issued a third executive order revoking an Equal Employment Opportunity executive order in place since 1965; requiring federal grant recipients and contractors to certify that they do not operate DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination laws; and requiring each executive agency to identify up to nine corporations or nonprofit entities or associations to target with civil investigations to deter DEI programs. Plaintiff, a non-profit organization that works to train women to enter and remain in high-skilled trades, filed suit, arguing the executives orders (1) violate the First Amendment due to (a) overbreadth and vagueness; (b) viewpoint discrimination; and (c) setting unconstitutional conditions on speech; (2) violate the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process clause for vagueness; (3) are ultra vires violations of Article I, Sec. 8 (the Spending Clause); and (4) violate the separation of powers. The Plaintiff seeks declaratory judgments that the orders are unconstitutional and preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining their enforcement. | 2025-02-26 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Executive Action: Department of Education “Dear Colleague Letter” banning DEI-related programming (Dear Colleague Letter) | American Federation of Teachers v. U.S. Department of Education (D. Md.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00628-SAG | Complaint | Feb. 25, 2025 | On Feb. 14, 2025, the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights published a Dear Colleague Letter announcing its intentions for enforcing the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which bans race-based affirmative action. According to the complaint, the Letter threatened to withhold federal funding from schools with DEI programs, programs that teach about “systemic and structural racism,” or programs that otherwise factor race into educational environments. Plaintiffs, professional membership associations representing teachers and sociologists, allege that the Letter violates the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech and association, the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process protections, and the Administrative Procedure Act. They seek declaratory judgment that the Letter is unlawful and unconstitutional and a preliminary injunction against any steps taken to implement the Letter. | 2025-02-25 |
| Removal of Information from Government Websites | Executive Action: Removal of information from HHS websites under Executive Order on “Gender Ideology Extremism” (Executive Order 14168; Policy Memo) | Doctors for America v. Office of Personnel Management et al (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00322 | Complaint | Feb. 4, 2025 | On January 31, 2025, agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed health-related data and other information from publicly-accessible websites in response to an Office of Personnel Management memorandum enforcing Executive Order 14168, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” Plaintiffs, suing on behalf of doctors and scientists who rely on the data, allege that the removal constitutes an arbitrary and capricious act, thus violating the Administrative Procedure Act, and fails to comply with notice requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They seek declaratory judgments that the OPM memorandum is unlawful and that the relevant agencies have violated the law; injunctions on further removal of information from agency websites; notice of any further modifications to webpages; and restoration of previously publicly-available datasets. Update 1: On Feb. 11, 2025, Judge John D. Bates issued a temporary restraining order and memorandum opinion. The TRO includes a requirement that Defendants restore webpages and datasets identified by the Plaintiffs. | 2025-02-11 |
| Actions Against FBI/DOJ Employees | Executive Action: Department of Justice review of FBI personnel involved in January 6 investigations (Executive Order 14147) | John and Jane Does 1-9 v. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00325 | Complaint | Feb. 4, 2025 | After President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the Department of Justice terminated employees who were involved in investigations into the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and President Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents. On February 2, FBI leadership, pursuant to a directive from the acting deputy attorney general, instructed agents to fill out a survey identifying their specific roles in those investigations. Plaintiffs in this class action suit, employees or agents of the FBI who participated in the investigations and expect to be terminated for their roles, allege that such termination would violate protections against political retaliation under the Civil Service Reform Act, First Amendment protections for political expression, and Fifth Amendment Due Process protections. Plaintiffs also allege that publication or dissemination of the surveys regarding their roles in the investigations would violate the Privacy Act and place them at risk of serious harm. They seek an injunction against “the aggregation, storage, reporting, publication or dissemination” of information identifying FBI personnel involved in the relevant investigations. The plaintiffs also requested a temporary restraining order to stop the defendants from “aggregating and disseminating information” to any person not subject to the Privacy Act, including the President, Vice President, and members of their staff. Update 1: On Feb. 6, 2025, Judge Jia Cobb ordered consolidation of this case and Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association v. Department of Justice. Update 2: On Feb. 7, 2025, Judge Jia Cobb issued a temporary restraining order, which had been mutually proposed by the parties. The TRO prohibits the government from publicly releasing any list before the court rules on whether to grant a preliminary injunction. The briefings for a preliminary injunction will be filed by March 21, 2025. | 2025-02-07 |
| Actions Against FBI/DOJ Employees | Executive Action: Department of Justice review of FBI personnel involved in January 6 investigations (Executive Order 14147) | Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association; John Does 1-4; Jane Does 1-3 v. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00328 | Complaint | Feb. 4, 2025 | On January 31, 2025, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memo ordering the resignation or firing of FBI agents who had participated in the investigations into the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. On February 2, 2025, FBI leadership, pursuant to a directive from Bove, instructed agents to fill out a survey identifying their specific roles in those investigations. Plaintiffs, the union that represents FBI agents and several agents who worked on investigations related to January 6, allege that the Department of Justice intends to use this survey for public disseminate identifying information about the FBI personnel and/or for firing and demoting agents who participated in the investigations, violating the Privacy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, First Amendment protections, and Fifth Amendment Due Process protections. They seek injunctive relief against “any further collection or dissemination” of personally identifiable information and a writ of mandamus as necessary to compel rescission of any unlawful termination orders. The plaintiffs also requested a temporary restraining order to prevent the public disclosure of the identities of the FBI agents. Update 1: On Feb. 6, 2025, Judge Jia Cobb ordered consolidation of this case and John and Jane Does 1-9 v. Department of Justice. Update 2: On Feb. 7, 2025, Judge Jia Cobb issued a temporary restraining order, which had been mutually proposed by the parties. The TRO prohibits the government from publicly releasing any list before the court rules on whether to grant a preliminary injunction. The briefings for a preliminary injunction will be filed by March 21, 2025. | 2025-02-07 |
| Federalism | Executive Action: Rescission of approval for New York City congestion pricing plan | Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy (S.D.N.Y.) Case No. 1:25-cv-01413 | Complaint | Feb. 19, 2025 | On Feb. 19, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul saying that the Trump administration was rescinding authorization for New York’s congestion pricing plan. Plaintiffs allege that the action violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s ban on arbitrary and capricious decisions, the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process guarantees, and the National Environmental Policy Act, and exceeds executive authority. They seek declaratory relief and a court order vacating the decision to terminate the program. | 2025-02-19 |
| Transparency | Executive Action: Response to FOIA and Records Retention | CREW v. DOGE (D.D.C.) Case No. 1:25-cv-00511 | Complaint | Feb. 20, 2025 | Plaintiff claims that the United States DOGE Service (USDS) “has provided no meaningful transparency into its operations or assurances that it is maintaining proper records.” The complaint alleges that Defendants have refused to comply with FOIA requests for records and demands for records preservation under the Federal Records Act (FRA). Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief requiring Defendants to comply with Plaintiff’s FOIA requests, to fully comply with the FRA’s preservation requirements, and to initiate enforcement action through the Attorney General to recover any lost or destroyed USDS records. Plaintiff also filed a motion, with a supporting memorandum, for preliminary injunction to require Defendants to release records in advance of the March 14 conclusion of the congressional appropriations process. | 2025-02-20 |
| Environment | Executive Action: Rescission of Previous Executive Orders and Actions, Including on Climate and Environment (Executive Order 14148) | Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Trump (D. Alaska) Case No. 3:25-cv-00038 | Complaint | Feb. 19, 2025 | In the previous presidential term, President Joe Biden withdrew parts of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf from future oil and gas leasing in the interest of environmental conservation, pursuant to his authority under Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued EO 14148, which, among other actions, purported to reverse those withdrawals made by President Biden and thereby reopen formerly protected areas to oil and gas leasing. Plaintiffs argue that neither OCSLA nor any other law authorizes presidents to undo withdrawals. They allege that President Trump “acted in excess of his authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and intruded on Congress’s non-delegated exclusive power under the Property Clause, in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.” They seek injunctive and declaratory relief to block the revocation of President Biden’s withdrawals. | 2025-02-19 |
| Environment | Executive Action: Deletion of climate change data from government websites | Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York v. U.S. Department of Agriculture (S.D.N.Y.) Case No. 1:25-cv-01529 | Complaint | Feb. 24, 2025 | On Jan. 30, 2025, the Department of Agriculture removed climate change-related data from many of its websites. Plaintiffs, including environmental organizations and a nonprofit representing farmers, gardeners, and consumers, allege that the removal of data violates the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Freedom of Information Act. They seek declaratory judgment that the removal of information is unlawful; injunctions on further removal of information from agency websites; notice of any further modifications to webpages; and restoration of previously publicly-available datasets. | 2025-02-24 |