The many legal challenges to Trump’s Executive Orders

It was Groundhog Day in more ways than one this month. Yes, Punxsutawney Phil (accurately) predicted six more weeks of winter, but America also witnessed newly inaugurated President Donald Trump issue a flurry of Executive Orders, only to see many challenged immediately by Democratic attorneys general and paused by judges.

During Trump’s first term, Executive Orders like his one restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority countries were challenged by Democrats and liberal activist groups like the American Civil Liberties Union. This time around, many of the challenges and pauses are focusing on Trump’s work, in conjunction with Elon Musk, to slash government spending radically.

In one order, Judge Amir Ali ordered the reinstatement of hundreds of foreign aid contracts; Musk responded by claiming that “lawfare has gotten out of control.” 

Just as in 2017, the Democrats are searching for leaders, and many ambitious politicians see suing Trump as a way to earn the love of Democratic Party activists. One, like Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro — himself a former attorney general — is suing the Trump administration for withholding several billion dollars of funding that Congress had appropriated that would head to his state. Trump’s sweeping pause on billions of dollars in federal spending it “flagrantly lawless,” Shapiro’s suit reads.

Trump, for his part, is no stranger to virtually endless lawsuits and legal proceedings. The Democrats’ efforts to tag him as a felon during the 2024 campaign potentially backfired in the general election, and almost certainly helped him in his primary election.

Some Trump allies are eager to focus on another case, where Judge John McConnell, who ruled that the Trump administration must immediately unfreeze Inflation Reduction Act funds, previously disclosed owning up to $250,000 in stock of a company that received $75 million from the Inflation Reduction Act.

America is, infamously, a nation of lawyers — and the Trump administration isn’t letting Democrats have all the legal fun. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she is suing states like New York and Illinois — home to Governor JB Pritzker, another ambitious Democrat with eyes on 2028 — over their sanctuary city policies. 

–Matthew Foldi

On our radar

TULSI’S STREAK Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, the freshly sworn-in director of national intelligence, responded to critics of her signature white hair streak, saying she will not color it because it was earned and reminds her daily of “the terrible cost of war, who pays the price of war and the importance of peace.”

WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND CNN host Kaitlan Collins, who is reportedly paid a $3-million salary, complained to Seth Meyers about how grueling her work schedule has become now that Trump is back in office, saying she often has to work seven days a week.

SICK POPE Pope Francis, eighty-eight, has been admitted to the hospital and has canceled events as he is treated for bronchitis.

Welcome to the DoGEhouse

The Department of Government Efficiency launched its official website Wednesday, featuring a recruiting page, a workforce tab displaying the executive branch’s headcount and wages and a regulations tab with additional statistics, including the “unconstitutionality index.”

The site is still undergoing updates, with future additions expected to include information on the legislative and judicial branches, as well as a savings page aimed at addressing criticisms of DoGE. Instead of chocolates or roses, Elon Musk and his team said, “Receipts coming soon, no later than Valentine’s day 💘 [sic].” It’s lunchtime on the East Coast and Cockburn is still refreshing…

–Cockburn

Controversial cabinet picks win confirmations

Following Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as directior of national intelligence Wednesday, the Senate voted Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Both received support of all but one Republican — Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. 

FBI director nominee Kash Patel, the last of the most contentious picks of President Donald Trump, made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday. His nomination has not yet been scheduled for a full Senate vote, but it is expected sometime early next week. 

Education secretary pick Linda McMahon, well-known for leading World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), had her confirmation hearing before the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday (a day after the president called for dismantling the department).

Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, a Democrat, asked McMahon whether she would “do what you are legally required to do” if the president “gives you a directive that breaks the law.” 

“The president will not ask me to do anything that is against the law,” McMahon answered. 

“We’d like to do this right,” McMahon told Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, adding that shutting down the department “certainly does require congressional action.”

The confirmation hearing of labor secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer is scheduled for Wednesday, after being postponed due to the winter storm this week.

Only six out of twenty-two Cabinet members remain unconfirmed, including commerce secretary pick Howard Lutnick, US trade representative pick Jamieson Greer and UN ambassador pick Elise Stefanik.

–Juan P. Villasmil