All articles tagged with #legal challenges
The Trump administration proposed formalizing a $103,265 H-1B visa fee via the Department of Homeland Security, replacing the temporary $100,000 charge, with a 30-day public comment period as lawsuits challenge the move and presidential authority; the higher cost could deter high-skilled visa applications.
The Supreme Court’s Watson v. RNC decision upholding state grace periods for mail ballots has spurred conservatives, led by Cleta Mitchell, to push for lawsuits aimed at ending or narrowing early voting, even as the majority defended its legality and several justices warned against undermining vote access.
This biweekly briefing maps sweeping shifts in U.S. vaccine policy: federal court battles over pediatric vaccine scheduling and ACIP governance, state efforts to roll back school vaccine requirements, regulatory reversals on Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, and a leadership shake-up at the CDC, all set against widening data gaps and new data tools from public health researchers and advocates.
States are redrawing U.S. congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, with Texas, California and others changing districts to gain or protect seats. The shifts could net a few House seats for either party (roughly 2 more for Democrats or 3 for Republicans), while lawsuits and potential Supreme Court action on the Voting Rights Act loom as the first March primaries approach.
President Trump has temporarily halted his efforts to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland due to legal obstacles, despite claiming their presence reduced crime; deployments in other cities like Los Angeles and Memphis continue under different legal and political circumstances.
Following the 2024 election, states that voted on abortion rights have seen mixed results, with some expanding access and others facing ongoing legal battles and restrictions, highlighting the ongoing flux in U.S. reproductive law and the potential for further changes in upcoming elections.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson supports a proposed 9.9% income tax on residents earning over $1 million, aiming to raise $3 billion annually starting in 2029, contingent on legal approval and voter support, with plans to use the revenue for tax credits, education, and small business relief.
The Trump administration has suspended leases for five offshore wind projects along the East Coast citing national security concerns, despite legal rulings and expert opinions that question the validity of these security claims, leading to criticism from wind supporters and legal challenges from states.
The Trump administration has paused five offshore wind projects along the East Coast citing national security concerns, despite legal rulings that have previously struck down efforts to block wind energy development, leading to criticism from environmental advocates who see it as an attack on renewable energy progress.
The US has collected over $200 billion in tariffs in 2025 due to new duties imposed by President Trump, with legal challenges questioning their legality, and a decline in collections observed in November amid ongoing court cases and trade adjustments.
The article discusses the potential impact if the Supreme Court invalidates President Trump's tariffs, highlighting that while his powers may be curtailed, he is likely to use other legal authorities to impose similar tariffs, maintaining a significant role in US trade policy.
Lawyers for James Comey are seeking to dismiss his case, arguing that Trump's appointee, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed, which could impact the legitimacy of the prosecution. The case highlights broader legal disputes over Trump's strategy of appointing loyalists to key prosecutorial positions without Senate approval, raising questions about the legality and fairness of such appointments and their impact on ongoing cases.
President Trump frequently references the Insurrection Act, a law granting emergency powers to deploy active-duty military in civilian law enforcement, which has historically been used in crises but also to suppress protests. While Trump has threatened to invoke it amid protests and unrest, legal and military experts warn of its broad powers and potential for misuse, with ongoing court cases and constitutional debates about its application. The law's invocation could significantly alter the legal and political landscape regarding military involvement in domestic issues.
Protesters in Portland, Oregon, participated in a naked bike ride to oppose the Trump administration's attempt to deploy the National Guard to the city, amid legal battles and a temporary court block on the deployment. President Trump considered invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops, while critics like Obama condemned the use of military force in cities for political reasons.
The Trump administration has initiated substantial layoffs of federal workers amid ongoing government shutdown threats, with plans to cut popular programs and ongoing legal disputes over the legality of such firings during a shutdown.