Seven recent cases where Trump administration actions were blocked by federal judges
Federal judges are once again flexing their muscles and delivering blows to the Trump administration with a series of recent rulings that have halted various actions. One such case involves Mohamed Soliman, an Egyptian national facing a hate crime charge in Colorado following a firebombing attack. A federal judge in Colorado, appointed under the Biden administration, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deportation of Soliman’s wife and five children. This ruling will remain in effect until a scheduled hearing on June 13, giving the family a chance to present their case in court.
In another case, a federal judge granted a request to unseal certain records in the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian migrant and alleged MS-13 member who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. The judge also allowed Garcia’s legal team to file a motion for sanctions against the Trump administration, potentially opening the door for more formal punishments if officials are found to have acted in bad faith. Additionally, a federal judge in Washington state granted a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s threats to withhold federal funding for transportation programs, citing violations of the Separation of Powers doctrine.
In a separate ruling, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore grant funding for AmeriCorps and reemploy thousands of employees, after the organization was abruptly dismantled in violation of federal law. The judge also reinstated funding for AmeriCorps programs that had been slashed by the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. Another federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the closure of Job Corps centers across the nation, a program that provides education and vocational training to disadvantaged youth.
Furthermore, a federal judge in Oregon barred U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from removing a Mexican asylum seeker from a Washington detention facility, demanding an explanation for the sudden transfer. Lastly, a federal judge blocked ICE from detaining a Columbia University student seeking asylum from South Korea after participating in an anti-Israel protest, in a win for freedom of speech and the rule of law.
These rulings highlight the ongoing pushback from federal judges against the Trump administration’s actions, with judges appointed under the Biden administration playing a significant role in challenging executive authority. As these cases continue to unfold, the judicial branch remains a key battleground in upholding constitutional rights and checks and balances in the face of political power struggles.
