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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How Trump Is Disappearing Migrants
From CECOT to domestic jails, the Trump administration is engaging in incommunicado detention to cut migrants off from legal protections. -
Legal Challenges Mount Against Renewed U.S. Sanctions on the ICC
Three lawsuits challenging EO 14203 raise important constitutional and statutory claims with far-reaching implications for U.S. engagement with international justice institutions. -
Our Reporters’ Notes on the May 7 Hearing in the J.G.G. Case
The judge seemed receptive to a class action on behalf of aliens sent to CECOT under President Trump’s Alien Enemies Act proclamation. -
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, May 9
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 2
Listen to the May 2 livestream. -
Lawfare Live: Trials of the Trump Administration, May 2
Join the Lawfare team at 4 pm ET for a discussion of the litigation targeting actions from President Trump. -
Border Militarization Blurs the Distinction Between ‘Policing’ Immigration and ‘Combating’ Immigrants
NSPM-4, President Trump’s order on the military’s “mission for sealing the Southern Border,” obscures the fine-grained limits that ought to clearly and unambiguously regulate lethal force. -
Can the U.S. Government Compel States to Enforce Immigration Law?
Trump’s efforts to force state cooperation on immigration raise pressing questions about the constitutional limits of federal authority. -
Lawfare Daily: Andrew Bakaj on Whistleblowing and DOGE’s Activities at the NLRB
Discussing the declaration from a NLRB whistleblower.
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Documents
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Trump Releases Memorandum on ‘America First Trade Policy’
The memo calls for a reassessment of trade agreements and recommendations to “defend” U.S. economic and national security. -
Trump Directs State Department to Recommend Cartels for Terrorism Designation
The order also directs the attorney general and secretary of homeland security to “make operational preparations” to implement any decision the president may make “to invoke the Alien Enemies Act.” -
Trump Issues Proclamation on ‘Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion’
The proclamation exercises both statutory authority alongside broad new assertions of constitutional authority to implement new restrictions on immigration. -
Trump Issues Executive Order on ‘Realigning’ Foreign Aid
Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign aid programs pending review of their efficiency and consistency with U.S. foreign policy. -
Trump Signs Order Initiating U.S. Withdrawal from WHO
The order directs the State Department and other government actors to begin the process of withdrawal from the World Health Organization. -
Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order Faces Immediate Challenges
Four suits filed in federal court this week mark an initial effort by states and advocacy groups to block the order.
