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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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.” -
Unpacking Trump’s Attack on Federal Sector Unions
The president’s efforts to decimate civil servant unions rest on a legally dubious argument. -
Our Reporter’s Notes on the April 23 WilmerHale Hearing
Judge Richard Leon appeared likely to find President Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm unconstitutional in toto. -
A Reporter’s Notes of the April 23 Perkins Coie Hearing
Judge Howell appeared likely to permanently enjoin implementation of President Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm. -
The White House Can’t Accept Russia’s Annexation of Crimea Without Congress
President Trump may be able to recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea—but that doesn’t mean he can make Congress play along. -
Lawfare Live: Discussing Court Hearings Involving the EOs Targeting Law Firms
Watch the livestream at 4:15pm ET. -
The Counterproductive Legal Precedent That Strikes on Cartels Would Set
Mexico rejects the “unwilling or unable” doctrine of self-defense. The United States should, too. -
The Constitutional Case Against Trump’s Trade War
A new lawsuit challenges Trump’s tariffs as a blatantly illegal usurpation of legislative power. -
Lawfare Daily: Trump's Attack on Law Firms
Why does the Trump administration’s attacks pose such a threat to the rule of law?
Documents
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Trump Signs Executive Order on Speech and Censorship
The order directs the attorney general to investigate federal government activities of the last four years that may have violated principles of free speech. -
Trump Order Purports to End Constitutionally-Protected Birthright Citizenship
The order states that citizenship does not extend to babies born on U.S. soil, something long understood to be guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Trump Releases Memo on Organization of the National Security Council
The NSC functions to advise the president on “the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security.” -
Federal Employees Union Challenges Trump Schedule F Order
The union argues that the order, which strips certain federal employees of employment protections, violates multiple laws and regulations. -
Trump Declares National Emergency at the Southern Border
The executive order invokes emergency authorities to enable the Defense Department to deploy reservists and oversee military constructions. -
Trump Signs ‘America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State’
The order directs the secretary of state to ensure State Department policies are “in line with an American First foreign policy.”