Three weeks into President Trump’s second term, a growing number of lawsuits are challenging his executive actions. Judges have temporarily blocked his efforts to end birthright citizenship and delayed a resignation deadline for thousands of federal workers. Labor unions also filed suit to stop the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which could leave more than 9,000 employees without jobs.
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, issued a nationwide injunction against Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. The judge called the administration’s interpretation of the 14th Amendment “blatantly unconstitutional.” He stressed that changing birthright citizenship requires a constitutional amendment, not an executive order. Similarly, Judge Deborah Boardman ruled that Trump’s policy contradicts 125 years of Supreme Court precedent and 250 years of U.S. history.
Trump’s push to shrink the federal government has also sparked legal battles. A Massachusetts judge temporarily halted the administration’s offer for federal employees to resign with pay until September, pending a Monday hearing. Workers questioned the offer’s legality and whether the administration could be trusted to fulfill its financial promises. So far, about 65,000 federal employees have accepted the package, but the White House aims for 5% to 10% of the workforce to leave.
The lawsuit against the planned closure of USAID argues that dismantling the agency lacks congressional authorization and violates federal law. Only Congress can dissolve a federal agency, the lawsuit states. Sources indicate that fewer than 300 of USAID’s 10,000 employees would retain their jobs if the closure proceeds. USAID has long been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, helping to save millions of lives and build global alliances.
Trump’s hardline policies and rapid executive actions have strained the judiciary. His administration’s power grabs are seen by many legal experts as a test of the Constitution’s limits. Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called the courts the final defense against Trump’s push to rewrite constitutional law. He highlighted concerns over figures like Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
Despite these setbacks, the administration remains confident that the conservative-leaning Supreme Court will ultimately uphold many of Trump’s initiatives. The Supreme Court has already sided with Trump on expanded presidential power in previous rulings. Legal experts fear that the administration may challenge the courts’ authority if it loses a significant case, creating a potential constitutional crisis.
In addition to the high-profile cases on birthright citizenship and USAID, other lawsuits are underway. FBI agents are suing the administration over a list of employees who participated in investigations of Trump, fearing they are being targeted for dismissal. Meanwhile, a judge blocked the temporary freeze on federal grants and loans, which the administration had imposed without congressional approval.
The growing storm of litigation could determine how far executive power can be stretched. Legal scholars are already considering worst-case scenarios, including what might happen if the administration refuses to comply with a Supreme Court ruling. Former Defense Department counsel Ryan Goodman called this “the doomsday scenario,” adding that such a constitutional crisis would test the very foundations of American democracy.
