Published Date: March 16, 2025 ✍️ Author: Global World Citizen News Team 📌 Source: GlobalWorldCitizen.com
A federal judge issued a late-night ruling on Saturday blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants. The judge went so far as to order flights already in the air to turn around—a major legal blow to the Trump administration in a series of ongoing court battles. Meanwhile, Trump and cost-cutting czar Elon Musk have seen both victories and defeats in legal challenges against their policies.
Key Rulings
- Judge James Boasberg halted Trump’s order to deport Venezuelan nationals allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the order on behalf of multiple migrants, including those with no connections to the gang.
- The ruling blocks deportations for 14 days, or until further judicial orders. During a hearing, the judge instructed the administration to turn back flights already en route with deported migrants, Politico reported.
- The Trump administration’s compliance with the order remains unclear. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that over 250 suspected members of Tren de Aragua had already been deported to El Salvador.
In the weeks following Trump’s inauguration, Democratic attorneys general, labor unions, federal workers, and nonprofits have launched numerous lawsuits against his administration’s policies. With Republicans controlling Congress and the White House, legal action has become a primary tool for Democrats and advocacy groups to challenge Trump’s decisions.
While many cases are still making their way through the courts, some temporary rulings have either blocked Trump’s policies or allowed them to proceed until final judgments are made. However, higher courts may overturn both favorable and unfavorable rulings as cases progress.
Trump’s Legal Victories
USAID Staffers
- Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, ruled that the administration can place USAID employees on leave, reversing an earlier decision.
- He refused to block the administration from terminating USAID contractors during a hearing on March 6.
Firing of Hampton Dellinger
- On March 5, a D.C. appeals court lifted an order protecting Dellinger, a top official overseeing government watchdog investigations.
- This ruling allows Trump to remove Dellinger while the case proceeds.
NYC FEMA Funds
- A federal judge denied New York City’s request to reclaim $80 million in FEMA funds rescinded by Trump.
- The judge ruled there was no immediate need to restore the funds while litigation continues.
CIA Employee Firings
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe won a legal battle allowing him to fire employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
- While Judge Anthony Trenga admitted the firings seemed unfair, he ruled Ratcliffe had legal authority to remove the workers.
Associated Press Access
- Judge Trevor McFadden sided with the Trump administration in denying the AP’s request to restore press access to major White House events.
- The AP was punished for refusing to adopt Trump’s new naming convention for the Gulf of Mexico, which he ordered renamed “Gulf of America.”
Elon Musk’s Authority in Government
- Judge Tanya Chutkan upheld Musk’s access to federal data despite lawsuits from Democratic-led states challenging his wide-ranging authority in government operations.
- However, the judge hinted she may rule against Musk in future decisions.
Labor Department Data Access
- Judge John Bates denied labor unions’ efforts to block Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Labor Department records.
Trump’s Legal Defeats
Alien Enemies Act Deportation Order
- Judge James Boasberg blocked Trump’s mass deportation of Venezuelan migrants, including those suspected of gang affiliations.
- The order halts all deportations and mandates returning flights already in progress.
Birthright Citizenship
- The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship on March 12.
- Three federal appeals courts have now ruled against the administration’s attempt to revoke citizenship rights for children of non-citizens.
Some Federal Worker Firings
- Judge William Alsup reversed mass layoffs of probationary federal workers, ordering their reinstatement at multiple agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Treasury, and Agriculture.
- Judge Beryl Howell ruled Trump’s termination of a labor board official violated federal law.
Law Firm Retaliation
- Judge Beryl Howell blocked a Trump executive order banning the Perkins Coie law firm from handling federal cases, ruling it was unlawful retaliation against a firm linked to Democrats and Hillary Clinton.
Transparency Lawsuits Against Musk’s DOGE
- Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Musk’s DOGE must comply with Freedom of Information Act requests, requiring disclosure of financial records and operational details.
Refugee Admissions Suspension
- Judge Jamal Whitehead ruled Trump’s suspension of refugee admissions violated congressional authority over immigration policy.
Government Funding Freezes
- Judges have twice blocked Trump’s attempt to freeze federal grants, with Judge John McConnell ordering funds to resume on March 6.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Gender Policies
- Multiple federal judges have temporarily blocked Trump’s bans on transgender inmates in male prisons and restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for minors.
- However, some rulings only apply to a handful of states, such as Colorado, Oregon, and Minnesota.
Supreme Court and Future Cases
Supreme Court Rulings
- Foreign Aid Funding: The Supreme Court upheld a ruling requiring the Trump administration to distribute foreign aid funds, rejecting Trump’s bid to cut spending.
- Hampton Dellinger Case: The Supreme Court initially protected Dellinger’s job, but an appeals court later allowed his firing.
Ongoing and Pending Cases
Several lawsuits against Trump’s policies remain unresolved, including:
- Immigration-related orders, such as restrictions on asylum seekers and funding cuts for refugee resettlement.
- Federal workforce layoffs, including lawsuits challenging the mass firings of inspectors general and career civil servants.
- Environmental and climate policies, such as Trump’s rollback of climate change regulations and oil drilling approvals.
- State-led lawsuits, including New York’s effort to reinstate congestion pricing fees and Pennsylvania’s lawsuit to recover federal funding losses.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s legal battles mounting, more cases could head to the Supreme Court. While the 6-3 conservative majority favors Trump in some instances, legal scholars suggest some of his controversial policies may be too extreme even for the Court’s conservative justices.
The Bottom Line
Trump and Musk have seen mixed results in court, with some key victories but also significant setbacks—particularly on immigration, federal funding, and labor policies. With more cases pending, their legal battles are far from over.