President Donald Trump faced three significant legal setbacks on Monday, as federal judges ruled against his administration in key cases.
These rulings come amid a flurry of executive orders and policy changes early in his second term, which have sparked numerous legal challenges. The outcomes of these cases could shape the trajectory of Trump’s presidency.
1. Palestinian Activist Deportation Blocked
A New York federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and green card holder. Khalil, who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in 2024, was detained by immigration officials over the weekend and told his permanent resident status was being revoked.
The judge ordered a halt to his deportation pending further review, scheduling a case conference for Wednesday. Khalil’s lawyer argued that his detention was politically motivated to suppress dissent against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Trump had previously called Khalil’s arrest the “first of many” in a crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests.
2. DOGE Must Comply with Freedom of Information Requests
A Washington, D.C., judge ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-created agency managed by Elon Musk, must respond to freedom of information requests.
The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) had sought documents to understand DOGE’s role in the mass firings and disruptions to federal programs that marked the start of Trump’s second term. DOGE had argued it was not a government agency and therefore not subject to such requests, but the judge rejected this, ordering the agency to begin producing documents on an expedited schedule.
3. Teacher Grants Temporarily Restored
A Boston judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore grants for teacher preparation programs in eight states. The Department of Education had canceled the grants as part of Trump’s plan to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The judge ruled that the states—Massachusetts, California, and six others—would suffer irreparable harm if the grants were cut, as they support training for teachers in public schools and universities. The judge emphasized that the Department of Education lacked the authority to cancel the grants after Congress had already authorized them.
Reactions and Next Steps
- Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyer, Amy Greer, welcomed the temporary halt to his deportation, calling the government’s actions “transparent and unlawful.”
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta celebrated the teacher grants ruling as a “crucial early victory” for students and teachers.
- CREW vowed to hold DOGE accountable, particularly if federal records were not properly preserved.
These rulings are temporary, and the cases will continue to be reviewed. The DOGE must submit a status report by March 20, while the deportation and teacher grants cases will proceed with further hearings. These legal challenges highlight the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s policies and judicial oversight, setting the stage for more battles in the courts.
