The Trials of the Trump Administration
On Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States. After taking the oath of office, President Trump began signing executive orders pardoning Jan. 6 defendants, implementing Schedule F to reclassify civil servants as political appointees, dismantling executive agencies like USAID, freezing federal funding and more. Many of his executive actions have faced legal challenges.
On this page you will find real-time updates of the litigation, Lawfare's weekly livestream series, documents related to the actions, a table tracking the legal challenges against them, and analysis of President Trump's executive actions and the litigation challenging them. Use the buttons below to navigate the page.
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Find real time updates of Lawfare’s coverage of the Trump administration’s legal challenges, on Bluesky or below:
Every week, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sits down with Lawfare contributors for "The Trials of the Trump Administration," a live discussion on the legal challenges to President Trump's executive actions.
Lawfare Analysis
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Lawfare Daily: Trials of the Trump Administration, June 20
Listen to the June 20 livestream as a podcast. -
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, June 20
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation targeting actions from President Trump. -
Lawfare Daily: U.S. Troops on the Streets of Los Angeles
What are the legal restraints of the domestic deployment of the Marines and National Guard? -
Unpacking the Protective Power
The constitutional basis for Trump’s use of the military in LA has a long history but is ultimately unmoored from constitutional text. -
Understanding Executive Orders 14148 and 14236
President Trump’s orders revoke a swath of previous administrations’ policies on an unprecedented scale. -
The Governor’s Role in Federalizing the National Guard Under 10 U.S.C. § 12406
While § 12406 guarantees some role for the state, it is likely far more minimal than what California asserts. -
The National Guard in Los Angeles
The president hasn’t invoked the Insurrection Act. He’s instead relying on a theory of inherent constitutional power that is far more limited. -
The D.C. Circuit Has Quietly Set the Rules for Dismantling Government
Recent statements show how the court will review the Trump administration’s actions—at least until the Supreme Court says otherwise. -
Lawfare Daily: WITAOD?
Anna Bower dives into who the administrator of DOGE is and why it matters.
Documents
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Trump Issues Full or Partial Travel Ban for 19 Countries
The administration says restrictions are necessary because the government “lacks the sufficient information to assess the risks they pose to the United States.” -
White House Releases Memo Directing Investigation Into Biden Admin
The memo asserts that former White House aides “abused the power of Presidential signatures” to conceal Biden’s cognitive decline. -
Trump Issues Proclamation to ‘Address Risks at Harvard University’
The order purports to restrict the entry of foreign nationals who plan to attend Harvard University. -
Trump Signs Order ‘Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement’
The executive order directs the attorney general to “maximize the use of federal resources,” including “military and national security assets,” to “aggressively police crime.” -
Trump Signs Executive Order Imposing ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs
The order imposes a 10 percent tariff on all U.S. imports and additional reciprocal tariffs on approximately 56 countries as well as the EU. -
White House Releases Order on Rescinding ‘Unlawful’ Regulations
The executive order directs agencies to work closely with DOGE, limiting “the overbearing and burdensome administrative state.”
