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The Trump administration faced a series of legal setbacks this week as multiple federal courts blocked its efforts to dramatically shrink the government. Judges ruled against mass firings of probationary federal workers, the suspension of refugee admissions, and the freezing of foreign aid, with some plaintiffs accusing the government of attempting to sidestep court orders.
Here’s a breakdown of the key rulings:
Judge: Mass Firings of Federal Workers ‘Illegal’
A federal judge in California ruled Thursday that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) unlawfully ordered agencies to fire thousands of probationary employees. Judge William Alsup found that a January 20 memo and February 14 internal email directing these dismissals were beyond OPM’s authority.
“The Office of Personnel Management does not have any authority whatsoever under any statute in the history of the universe to hire and fire employees within another agency,” Alsup stated in his ruling.
While the ruling does not reinstate those already terminated, it blocks additional firings planned at the Department of Defense and other agencies.
Foreign Aid Freeze Sparks Legal Clash
On Tuesday, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ordered the State Department and USAID to comply with his earlier ruling that blocked a blanket freeze on foreign aid. Expressing frustration over government delays, the judge imposed a midnight deadline for releasing the funds.
However, the administration told the court the next day that unfreezing the funds would take “weeks” and sought relief from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which denied the request. The administration then appealed to the Supreme Court, where Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay.
Plaintiffs argue that the government’s delays have been catastrophic.
“There is no dispute whatsoever that Defendants’ actions have led to death, impoverishment, sickness, and waste,” they stated in court filings.
More than 10,000 foreign aid grants have already been terminated, and plaintiffs argue that the administration’s handling of the issue is unlawful.
Federal Court Blocks Refugee Admissions Pause
A judge in Seattle ruled Tuesday that President Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions likely exceeded his authority.
“The president has substantial discretion to suspend refugee admissions. But that authority is not limitless,” wrote U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead.
After the ruling, aid groups accused the administration of trying to undermine the decision by terminating refugee assistance contracts, prompting them to seek emergency intervention.
A separate lawsuit by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops alleges the funding freeze has crippled their ability to assist refugees. The government, however, argues that the case is now a “contract dispute.”
“This harm is about money,” said government attorney Joseph Carilli. “They want reimbursement.”
The bishops countered that their case is about mission, not money.
“The government cannot escape review of its unlawful suspension by effecting an unlawful termination,” they argued.
Privacy Concerns Halt Musk-Linked Government Efficiency Initiative
A federal judge in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order preventing OPM and the Department of Education from granting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive personnel records.
The ruling follows a similar restriction on DOGE’s access to Treasury Department data. Judge Deborah Boardman found that government agencies had likely violated the Privacy Act by sharing federal employees’ Social Security numbers, home addresses, and financial information with DOGE.
Federal Judge Limits ICE Raids on Religious Sites
A federal judge in Maryland issued an order blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting raids at houses of worship owned by religious organizations that sued over a policy change allowing such operations.
Previously, ICE had been required to get special approval for raids on “sensitive locations” such as churches, a policy that had been in place since the 1990s. The ruling applies only to the organizations that filed suit.
Funding Freeze Blocked as Judge Warns of ‘Arbitrary’ Cuts
In Washington, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the administration from reinstating a federal funding freeze imposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Judge Loren AliKhan called the freeze chaotic and harmful:
“The pause placed critical programs for children, the elderly, and everyone in between in serious jeopardy. Because the public’s interest in not having trillions of dollars arbitrarily frozen cannot be overstated, Plaintiffs have more than met their burden here.”
The freeze was later rescinded, but conflicting statements from the White House have left its status unclear.
Second Court Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
For the second time in a week, a federal appeals court rejected the administration’s attempt to implement an executive order restricting birthright citizenship.
A three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a lower court’s ruling, joining the Ninth Circuit in concluding that the administration’s arguments were unlikely to succeed.
Trump’s order, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship to individuals with at least one U.S. citizen or permanent resident parent, has now been blocked by multiple courts as a violation of the 14th Amendment.
What’s Next?
With courts repeatedly ruling against its efforts, the administration faces a difficult legal road ahead. Civil rights groups, refugee advocates, and government employees are preparing for further litigation, while the Supreme Court may ultimately weigh in on key disputes.
The battle over Trump’s policies is far from over, but for now, the courts have put significant roadblocks in the way of his attempts to reshape the federal government.
