• The Trump administration faces immediate legal challenges, including lawsuits against the newly established Department of Government Efficiency and immigration policies limiting birthright citizenship.
• Critics argue key actions, such as the rollback of Biden-era border programs and Schedule F civil service reforms, are unconstitutional and undermine federal regulations.
• The surge of lawsuits mirrors Trump’s first term, with legal experts and advocacy groups preparing for fierce battles over executive power and constitutional rights.

The Trump administration kicked off its second term with a flurry of legal challenges. Within hours of President Donald Trump taking the oath of office, opponents filed numerous lawsuits targeting key policy changes, many of which attempt to reshape federal bureaucracy, immigration policies, and constitutional interpretations. By the end of his first day, the president faced at least six lawsuits in federal courts, with more piling up in the days that followed.

Legal Challenges Begin Immediately

At precisely 12:02 p.m.—moments after Trump’s swearing-in—Public Citizen, a nonprofit advocacy group, became the first to file a lawsuit. The case challenges the legality of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new office tasked with proposing budget cuts and streamlining federal operations. Public Citizen claims DOGE operates as a federal advisory commission, which would require it to follow rules on transparency and balanced representation.

Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, explained, “The speed is directly connected to how obvious we felt it was that this is a federal advisory commission and our ability to pre-plan because of that.”

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Two more DOGE lawsuits were filed simultaneously in Washington, D.C., followed by another just six minutes later. These lawsuits allege that the administration’s executive order establishing DOGE bypasses established regulations.

Immigration Policies Under Fire

Immigration-related lawsuits also began rolling in. A coalition of Democratic attorneys general and immigrant rights organizations filed suits challenging Trump’s executive order barring children born to undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors from receiving automatic U.S. citizenship. Critics argue that this move is unconstitutional and violates the 14th Amendment.

“The president has no authority to rewrite or nullify a constitutional amendment or duly enacted statute,” stated a coalition-led lawsuit. Several legal experts, including George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin, agreed, calling the policy “blatantly unconstitutional.”

Opponents also targeted the administration’s rollback of a Biden-era border “parole” program. The ACLU has asked a federal judge in Washington to reinstate pre-scheduled appointments for migrants who used the CBP One app to participate in the program. Attorney Lee Gelernt emphasized the urgency, stating, “This is a matter of some urgency.”

Mixed Reactions to Federal Changes

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The Trump administration also faces pushback on civil service reforms. One lawsuit challenges the president’s so-called “Schedule F” policy, which seeks to reduce job protections for federal employees handling policy decisions. Critics argue the move undermines the nonpartisan nature of civil service.

Meanwhile, Trump’s potential use of the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to 1798, has drawn skepticism. The president intends to use the act to deport gang members and cartel affiliates deemed national security threats. However, legal experts like Somin believe this interpretation stretches the law, which requires an ongoing war or foreign invasion to invoke.

Josh Blackman, a professor at South Texas College of Law, noted that some lawsuits may be premature. For example, DOGE-related challenges may falter because the office operates under the White House and not as an independent commission, potentially nullifying transparency requirements. “They are going to have to start from scratch,” Blackman said.

Justice Department Faces Significant Workload

The surge of lawsuits could overwhelm the Justice Department, especially as courts expedite cases. For instance, the ACLU has requested an accelerated ruling on the Biden-era parole program, which the administration ended on Trump’s orders. Justice Department attorney Erez Reuveni acknowledged the challenge, stating, “We’re still analyzing all the new Trump changes to see how they affect existing programs.”

Historical Echoes of Trump’s First Term

These legal battles mirror the Trump administration’s first term, during which aggressive executive actions repeatedly faced judicial scrutiny. Policies like the border wall funding, DACA repeal, and sanctuary city defunding often struggled in court. While some, like the travel ban’s third iteration, survived legal challenges, others failed.

The current wave of lawsuits suggests a similarly contentious dynamic, with opponents ready to challenge Trump’s policies on multiple fronts. Labor unions, immigrant rights groups, and government watchdogs have all mobilized against what they view as overreach.

What Lies Ahead?

The outcomes of these lawsuits will shape the trajectory of Trump’s second term and set critical legal precedents. Key questions surrounding executive power, constitutional rights, and immigration policies hang in the balance.

Do you think these legal challenges will succeed in curbing Trump’s agenda, or will they face uphill battles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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