Trump Suffers Three Legal Defeats in One Day

Trump Administration Hit With Three Major Court Rulings

The Trump administration endured a trio of legal setbacks on Friday, as federal judges across the country ruled against several high-profile initiatives launched by President Donald Trump during his second term. The White House / Wikimedia

Judge Upholds Order Reinstating U.S. Institute of Peace Board

In Washington, D.C., U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell refused to overturn her May 19 ruling that the Trump administration's dismissal of the U.S. Institute of Peace board was unlawful. The administration had sought to suspend her decision, but Howell said the government failed to make a “strong showing” that it would succeed on appeal. Administrative Office of the United States Courts / Wikimedia

Federal Judge Strikes Down Board Dismissal by Musk’s DOGE Agency

Howell previously ruled the Institute is not part of the executive branch, making the March board firing—carried out after the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) took over—“null and void.” The White House / Wikimedia

Judge Blocks Trump Order Targeting Law Firm Jenner & Block

At nearly the same time, Judge John Bates blocked President Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block, calling it unconstitutional. Bates ruled that the order “seeks to chill legal representation the administration doesn’t like, thereby insulating the Executive Branch from the judicial check fundamental to the separation of powers.” As a result, he enjoined the order in full. Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

White House Defends Executive Power Over Security Clearances

The order had revoked security clearances and restricted access to federal buildings for employees at law firms involved in litigation against Trump or his allies. In response, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields told Newsweek, “The decision to grant any individual access to this nation’s secrets is a sensitive judgment call entrusted to the President.” @HarrisonWFields / X

Court Orders Restoration of Gender-Related Health Articles

In a third ruling, Massachusetts District Judge Leo T. Sorokin partially granted an injunction restoring several articles on a federally hosted patient-safety resource that were removed after Trump’s executive order on “gender ideology.” Sorokin found that the removal likely constituted “a textbook example of viewpoint discrimination” and violated the First Amendment. He ordered the articles to be reinstated. KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA / Pexels

Legal Setbacks Add to Growing List of Blocked Trump Policies

These rulings add to a growing list of legal defeats Trump has faced since returning to office in January. Other blocked policies include his attempted deportations of migrants to third countries, suspension of foreign aid, and a ban on transgender military service members. The White House / Wikimedia

Courts Remain Strong Check on Trump’s Second-Term Agenda

While Trump has pushed back publicly on some court decisions, these rulings indicate the judiciary will remain a persistent check on his administration’s authority. The tension between Trump’s executive agenda and judicial oversight shows no sign of abating. The White House / Wikimedia