Following Suits

This Week in Democracy

• A coalition of 21 state attorneys general sued President Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, arguing that their recent actions exceeded the authority of the executive branch. The suit comes after the U.S. Department of Education laid off more than 1,300 employees. The attorneys general are asking a federal judge to block the Trump administration from firing any additional employees and rule that its effective dismantling of the department is illegal.

  ➡️ READ: Sharing the Facts About State Authority and Education

• Federal judges ordered more than a dozen federal agencies to reinstate thousands of employees improperly fired by the Trump administration. The first case was brought by a group of unions, and the second was brought by 20 state attorneys general led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. “These mass firings reflect a disregard for both the law and the essential role of the civil service in maintaining government stability,” Brown said. “Our Office is committed to upholding the rule of law and will take every necessary legal step to ensure compliance with this court order.”
• Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court to limit rulings that are blocking his efforts to deny citizenship to some U.S.-born children. Federal judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Washington state have all blocked Trump’s executive order from going into effect, as a result of lawsuits brought by civil rights groups and 22 state attorneys general.

  ➡️ READ: Sharing the Facts About Birthright Citizenship

• Two federal judges ruled that the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) must provide records about its inner workings, in accordance with federal transparency laws. In the first case, brought by a government watchdog organization, the judge ruled that DOGE has been operating with “unusual secrecy” and ordered it to produce records on an “expedited basis.” In the second case, brought by 14 state attorneys general, the judge ruled that the states had a right to know who was working for DOGE and what authority they have.
• A federal judge blocked parts of yet another Trump executive order, writing that it “threatens the very foundation of our legal system.” The order, signed by Trump last week, sought to penalize a law firm that represented his political opponents and challenged him in court. It’s his latest action that seeks to exact retribution against his adversaries based on lies and conspiracies. Twenty-one state attorneys general led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown filed a brief in support of the firm, the rule of law, and Americans’ right to oppose the government.
• The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cut funding for two election security programs. The programs helped state and local election officials share and analyze information with each other. Kim Wyman, Washington state’s former secretary of state and a member of States United’s Advisory Board, said that the programs helped minimize disruptions during the 2024 election and keep voters safe.

State of the States

In Maine, despite multiple court orders directing the federal government to unfreeze funds for states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused millions in funds for the University of Maine System. The federally funded programs included farm research, youth programs, development of new resources for firefighters, and more. Funds were later restored, but the Trump administration is continuing to hold up congressionally appropriated funding for other states and only releasing them on an individual basis.

Gov. Janet Mills released a statement welcoming the decision to restore funding. “It is a relief to the many students, staff, and faculty who depend on that funding to support cutting-edge research and development, prepare for careers in Maine, and make valuable contributions to our rural communities and our economy,” she said. “This decision also benefits many Maine farmers, loggers, and others who work in close partnership with UMaine.”