Legal Actions

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Secure Families Initiative, and Arizona Students' Association have filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's Executive Order 14248, which would grant the president unprecedented power over the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The plaintiffs argue that Executive Order 14248 defies the separation of powers defined in the Constitution and violates statute by undermining the independence of the EAC. On April 3, 2025 this case was consolidated with Democratic National Committee v. Trump (No. 25-cv-0952) and League of Women Voters Education Fund v. Trump (25-cv-0955).

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has sued the Trump administration for stripping federal employees of their lawful right to organize. NTEU argues that President Trump's Executive Order 14251, which eliminates union rights for two-thirds of the federal workforce, violates the First Amendment and is in direct conflict with the law that Congress passed specifically to facilitate and strengthen collective bargaining in the federal sector. NTEU seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

Law firm WilmerHale has sued the Trump administration for its executive order that directed agencies to suspend the firm’s security clearances, terminate federal contracts, block access to government buildings, and discourage interaction with federal officials. The plaintiff argues that EO 14250 violates the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, as well as the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

A coalition representing professors and teachers has sued the Trump administration for cutting off $400 million in federal funding for crucial public health research in an attempt to coerce Columbia University into complying with restrictive speech codes regarding campus protests. The plaintiffs argue that the action is a coercive tactic that, not only undermines academic independence, but also stops vital scientific research that contributes to the health of Americans. In addition, the plaintiffs argue that the action violates the First Amendment, the separation of powers, and other constitutional provisions.

Cities and conservation groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding for critical programs that cover a range of topics, including energy efficient affordable housing and support for local farmers. The Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Transportation froze funds for several programs after President Trump issued three executive orders (EO 14154, EO 14151, and EO 14222). The plaintiffs argue that these actions violate the separation of powers, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act and the Impoundment Control Act.

The American Federation of Teachers and six individuals with student loan debt have sued the Department of Education for dismantling the student loan system and eliminating access to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. The plaintiffs argue that the Department of Education's actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act as Congress required that IDR plans are offered by the Department.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has sued the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), as well as USAGM officials Kari Lake and Victor Morales, in response to the termination of RFE/RL’s federal grant. RFE/RL argues that cancelling this Congressionally-appropriated grant violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the separation of powers, and the Presentment, Appropriations, Spending, and Take Care Causes of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has sued the Trump administration for having the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) trespass, takeover, and dismantle the agency. USIP argues that the Trump administration's actions violate the separation of powers, the USIP Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiff seeks a court order blocking DOGE from unlawfully dismantling the organization and irreparably impairing their ability to perform their Congressionally-mandated mission.