As Donald Trump nears the 100-day mark of his second term as U.S. president, his administration faces a mounting legal challenge, with more than 200 lawsuits filed against his policies. These challenges have resulted in over 70 rulings from federal judges that have blocked or limited key aspects of his agenda, from immigration reforms to government spending and civil rights issues.
Immigration Crackdown Faces Legal Setback
One of the most high-profile legal battles centers on Trump’s immigration crackdown. A recent Supreme Court ruling temporarily halted the deportation of Venezuelan men detained by U.S. authorities, after their lawyers argued that the deportations lacked necessary judicial review. This decision followed a series of rulings from federal judges who criticized the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act—a 1798 law designed for wartime situations—in justifying deportations without legal hearings.
Several judges have questioned the legality of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policies, issuing orders to halt or restrict mass deportations. Meanwhile, the administration has seen some legal victories, with courts allowing certain deportations and raids to proceed.
Birthright Citizenship Under Fire
Trump’s controversial executive order to restrict birthright citizenship is also facing significant legal challenges. On May 15, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether the administration can enforce its policy to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. unless one parent is a citizen or legal resident. The 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, is at the heart of the dispute.
Financial Moves Face Legal Resistance
In the financial sphere, federal judges have blocked multiple efforts by the Trump administration to freeze federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance, including billions of dollars allocated for clean energy and public health projects. While some policies have been rolled back, others continue to face legal challenges that aim to safeguard federal funding and ensure it reaches the intended recipients.
Transgender Rights and Military Service Restrictions
Trump’s executive orders targeting transgender rights have faced significant legal opposition. Judges have temporarily blocked his military ban and policies restricting gender-affirming healthcare for minors. The Supreme Court has been asked to weigh in on whether the transgender military ban can be enforced, a decision that could shape future legal precedents for civil rights in the military.
Diversity and Inclusion Programs in Limbo
Trump’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies have also been stymied by the courts. Several federal judges have blocked his executive orders that aim to terminate DEI programs and require recipients of federal funds to certify that they are not violating anti-discrimination laws by implementing such initiatives.
Targeting Law Firms and Trade Wars
The administration’s executive orders targeting law firms that have opposed Trump’s policies or represented clients in investigations against him have been temporarily blocked by multiple judges. These rulings suggest that the courts view these actions as potential violations of constitutional rights to free speech.
Trump’s aggressive tariffs against foreign trading partners also remain under legal scrutiny, with several lawsuits challenging the administration’s authority to impose tariffs without Congressional approval. A judge has already denied a request to halt these tariffs, and the outcome of the remaining cases could have lasting implications for U.S. trade policy.
As Trump’s second term progresses, the legal challenges show no signs of slowing down. With more court battles on the horizon, the president’s ability to implement his policies will continue to face significant scrutiny in the courts.
