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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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. -
Bureaucracy’s Boundaries
Breaking down the legal issues surrounding the White House’s terminations and temporary replacements at the Library of Congress -
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. -
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, June 6
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation targeting actions from President Trump. -
Lawfare Daily: Trials of the Trump Administration, May 30
Listen to the May 30 livestream as a podcast.
Documents
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Trump Signs Order Shuttering Four Government Entities
The order also terminates the Presidential Management Fellows Program and several committees across various agencies. -
Executive Order on ‘Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies’
The order expands presidential oversight of agencies and asserts “authoritative interpretation” of executive branch law by the president. -
Trump Signs Executive Order to Reshape the U.S. Foreign Service
The order directs the secretary of state to reform recruiting, performance, evaluation, retention, and other diplomatic service standards. -
Trump Signs Order on DOGE ‘Workforce Optimization Initiative’
The order directs agencies to prepare for workforce reductions and hire one worker for every four that depart. -
Justice Dept. Releases Slate of Memos from Attorney General Bondi
Bondi signed 14 memos on topics ranging from internal personnel matters to potential investigations into current and former civil servants. -
Federal Employee Unions Sue DOGE and the Department of Labor
A coalition of unions seek to block DOGE from gaining access to the Labor Department.