Trump Administration: Follow the Law

TLDR

This press release details enforcement actions by the Trump administration in 2025, targeting education (women’s sports, campus anti-Semitism), immigration (sanctuary cities), financial oversight (federal funds misuse), and media/communications (DEI policies, immigration coverage), with potential legal challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has launched multiple enforcement actions across federal agencies targeting various entities for alleged non-compliance with federal laws and executive orders.

The Department of Education has initiated investigations into athletic associations regarding compliance with Trump’s executive order on women’s sports, while also launching probes into anti-Semitic harassment at universities.

The DOJ has taken legal action against “sanctuary” jurisdictions, specifically targeting New York, Illinois, and Chicago. This aligns with broader immigration enforcement priorities, including the establishment of Homeland Security Task Forces in all states.

The EPA has referred cases to the Inspector General regarding alleged mishandling of federal funds by previous administration officials. Similarly, DHS has moved to recover FEMA funds that were used for housing undocumented immigrants in New York City.

The FCC has launched investigations into:

• Comcast’s DEI policies following Trump’s executive order
• A San Francisco radio station for broadcasting immigration enforcement locations
• NPR and PBS for potential federal law violations

These actions face potential legal challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires the government to follow specific procedures when changing policies. Several legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutionality of attempts to withhold federal funding from states and localities.

REFERENCES

• 2025-03-30: White House ordered firing of L.A. federal prosecutor on ex-Fatburger CEO case, sources say — US Attorney Adam Schleifer was fired by the White House on Friday, with sources indicating that the decision was made at Trump’s behest due to his prosecution of Andrew Wiederhorn, the former CEO of Fatburger and Johnny Rockets. Wiederhorn has been accused of hiding taxable income from the federal government, and his defense team had aggressively pushed for the case to be dropped. The firing is seen as a politically motivated move by some in the Justice Department, who fear that it will have a chilling effect on prosecutors who may pursue cases against Trump allies or companies with ties to him.
• 2025-03-29: Bar organizations’ statement in support of the rule of law — The American Bar Association and several bar organizations have issued a statement in support of the rule of law, rejecting efforts to undermine the courts and intimidate judges who make unpopular rulings. The statement emphasizes the importance of protecting the independence of the judiciary and upholding the values of justice and fairness. The signatory organizations call on lawyers across the profession to speak out against intimidation and stand in defense of the rule of law.
• 2025-03-25: As Trump and his allies push to impeach judges, Speaker Johnson eyes an escape hatch — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has floated legislation that could allow Republicans to voice their support for President Donald Trump’s agenda without facing impeachment votes against judges who have ruled against him. The “No Rogue Rulings Act” would bar district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, a move that could provide an off-ramp for Republicans seeking to push back against judicial overreach. However, it remains unclear whether the bill can gain enough Republican support to pass the House and avoid impeachment votes against judges like U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
• 2025-03-25: Speaker Mike Johnson floats eliminating federal courts as GOP ramps up attacks on judges — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has floated the possibility of eliminating some federal courts as part of a broader effort by Republicans to take on judges who have ruled against President Donald Trump. The move comes as courts have blocked several actions taken by the Trump administration, and Johnson is seeking “desperate measures” to push back against these rulings. However, it remains unclear whether Congress would be able to pass legislation eliminating federal courts, given the need for bipartisan support and the potential for opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
• 2025-03-05: Senate Confirms Trump Attorney Todd Blanche as No. 2 Justice Dept. Official | The New York Times — The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former criminal defense attorney, as Deputy Attorney General in a 52-46 mostly party-line vote on March 5, 2025. Blanche, who previously defended Trump against multiple indictments including the New York hush money case, will now oversee federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, and ATF while serving as second-in-command to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
• 2025-02-08: Alabama Congressional Maps Go on Trial | Democracy Docket — A years-long redistricting battle over Alabama’s congressional maps is going to trial to determine Black representation in the state’s congressional delegation through 2030. The case centers on whether Alabama violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by drawing a map with only one majority-Black district despite a court order requiring two districts where Black Alabamians could elect candidates of their choice.