All articles tagged with #federal judge
A federal judge vacated a Trump-era policy that paused immigration visa processing for 75 countries, ruling the move violated the law and left applicants in limbo. The decision adds to a series of court reversals of the former administration’s immigration agenda and comes after a separate June ruling struck down another Trump policy affecting asylum and related programs.
Despite a federal judge condemning Trump’s self‑settlement as illegal and signaling sanctions, he says he will keep an order that blocks IRS tax audits against him and his family for returns filed before the order. The order remains in effect, a point of contention as Todd Blanche faces Senate confirmation to be attorney general, with Democrats pushing to repeal the so‑called Anti‑Weaponization Fund and the tax deal while Republicans defend it. If audits resume, Trump could face tens of millions in potential liability.
A federal judge ruled that Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was manufactured to justify a settlement and a multibillion-dollar anti-weaponization fund for political allies, not to vindicate rights. The court sanctioned two of Trump’s lawyers and indicated possible disciplinary action for others, while noting the DOJ’s absence from defending the case and suggesting the government’s stance could have altered the outcome.
A federal judge blocked five states from enforcing waivers that would have prohibited SNAP purchases of sugary drinks and candy, ruling the USDA lacked authority to approve such pilot restrictions. The decision, while addressing legality rather than policy merit, stops the bans for now and underscores the regulatory guardrails governing SNAP.
A U.S. district judge, Leonie M. Brinkema, indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s proposed $1.8 billion payout fund, saying the government has not shown absolute certainty it won’t resurrect the plan, even as DOJ officials say the effort isn’t moving forward and the case remains in litigation.
A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to remove Donald Trump's name by Friday, prompting scaffolding and the launch of a live-stream camera by a group opposed to the branding; the ruling found Congress has authority to rename the center, reversing the center's unilateral designation as the Trump Kennedy Center.
A federal judge in Boston struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, ruling the policy exceeded executive authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, overturning a prior ruling that had upheld the hike. The live coverage also highlights related immigration funding efforts, a new premium $750 visa interview service, and other ongoing Trump-era policy updates.
The Kennedy Center’s general counsel told staff to immediately remove President Trump’s name from branding and documents, with indoor and outdoor signage to be changed by June 12 after a federal judge ruled the addition was unlawful; the memo also requires updating social media, email signatures, and voicemail, and the center has not yet filed an appeal.
Jimmy Kimmel’s audience erupted in cheers after a federal judge ruled Trump’s name must come off the Kennedy Center, a moment Kimmel framed by showing the president’s lengthy posts and noting the broader Trump-Epstein file context.
A federal judge ruled that Alabama's nitrogen-hypoxia executions do not violate the Eighth Amendment, finding that while the method can cause severe air hunger for 1–3 minutes, it does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The decision allows Alabama to continue using nitrogen gas, with the next scheduled execution on June 11, and an appeal from Lee anticipated.
A federal judge in Virginia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with plans to create a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate people allegedly targeted by the government, prohibiting transfers, claims processing, and disbursements and setting a June 12 hearing to decide whether to extend the pause.
A federal judge ruled that nitrogen-gas executions do not violate the U.S. Constitution, upholding Alabama's planned execution in the death-penalty case involving Alan Miller.
A federal judge is accused of having a sexual encounter with a police officer inside his chambers, according to a new report, raising questions about judicial ethics and potential consequences for the judiciary.
A federal judge, whose identity and district are private, was disciplined by the 11th Circuit for a two-year extramarital affair with a high-ranking police officer, sex in the judge’s chambers during work hours, attendance at a partisan political event, and false statements to investigators; sanctions included letters of apology to six former clerks, stepping down as chief judge, and avoiding Judicial Conference committees, with the panel noting potential for rehabilitation.
A federal judge has unsealed an alleged suicide note attributed to Jeffrey Epstein, reportedly found by his cellmate after Epstein’s 2019 suicide attempt at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in NYC. The unsigned note contains a frustrated remark about investigations and a goodbye, but its authorship has not been independently verified, and the release followed a New York Times report, with no immediate DOJ comment.