Summary

Federal courts continue to thwart the Trump administration’s sweeping attempts to shrink government programs and staff, with judges repeatedly accusing officials of ignoring or delaying orders.

Recent rulings:

• Halted OPM’s firing of probationary (new) employees, holding OPM had “no authority” to dictate hiring and firing decisions at other agencies.
• Blocked a blanket freeze on foreign aid, but SCOTUS granted a stay.
• Found attempts to suspend refugee admissions exceeded presidential authority.
• Restricted immigration enforcement at religious locations
• Limited federal access by DOGE for Education, OPM, Treasury, and Labor Department records.
• Enjoined a proposed federal funding freeze.
• Upheld injunctions against Trump’s birthright citizenship order in two appeals courts for likelihood of 14th Amendment violations.