Number of injunctions halting Trump policies trounces predecessors by double
Nationwide injunctions against the federal government have been a contentious issue, especially during the first Trump administration. Data shows that more than half of the total nationwide injunctions issued since 1963 were aimed at the Trump administration, with a total of 64 injunctions handed down during his first term in office. This is double the number of injunctions faced by his two predecessors and successor combined.
These nationwide injunctions are court orders that prevent the federal government from implementing policies or laws that have a widespread impact on the entire country. They go beyond the parties involved in the court case and have a cascading effect on the nation as a whole.
The Harvard Law Review found that there were six injunctions issued against the Bush administration, 12 against the Obama administration, and 14 against the Biden administration. However, the first Trump administration faced a staggering 64 injunctions, showing a significant disparity compared to other recent administrations.
Since returning to the Oval Office in January, President Trump has faced over 120 lawsuits challenging his executive orders and actions. These lawsuits have resulted in nationwide injunctions in some cases, including 15 injunctions issued in February alone. Trump’s acting solicitor general, Sarah Harris, has raised concerns about the proliferation of nationwide injunctions under the second Trump administration.
In response to the onslaught of nationwide injunctions, Trump filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to narrow three injunctions related to his nullification of birthright citizenship. The appeal seeks to limit the scope of the injunctions to only cover individuals directly impacted by the relevant courts.
Former officials from the Trump administration have criticized the frequency of nationwide injunctions, with some noting that there were more injunctions issued against the first Trump administration in one year than the entire eight-year tenure of President Obama. The overwhelming majority of these injunctions were ordered by judges appointed by Democrats, further fueling concerns about bias in the judicial system.
Overall, the issue of nationwide injunctions against the federal government remains a contentious and polarizing topic, with the Trump administration facing a disproportionate amount of legal challenges compared to previous administrations. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex relationship between the executive branch and the judicial system, with implications for the functioning of the government as a whole.
