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Thursday, February 20
Today marks one month into the second Trump presidency. Democracy Docket is already tracking 44 lawsuits against the administration — a number we expect to grow rapidly. Become a premium member for $10/month ([link removed]) and get the exclusive analysis you need to be prepared for each one over the next 47 months.
Senate confirms election denier Kash Patel to be FBI director

* The Senate confirmed ([link removed]) Kash Patel as the next FBI Director in a 51-49 vote this afternoon. His history as an election denier and President Donald Trump loyalist raises serious concerns about his ability to fairly lead the nation’s major law enforcement agency.

9th Circuit rejects DOJ request to unblock Trump’s birthright citizenship order

* The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected ([link removed]) the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) emergency request to pause a block on Trump's birthright citizenship executive order, setting up a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
* The executive order was supposed to go into effect today, but it remains blocked as four federal judges issued nationwide injunctions against it.

DOJ appeals order blocking Trump from firing Merit Systems Protection Board chair

* The DOJ appealed ([link removed]) the temporary restraining order blocking Trump from firing Cathy Harris, chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board, which protects federal workers from unfair employment practices.
* The DOJ also asked the federal district court for Washington, D.C. to pause its order while the appeals process is ongoing.

New filing could force DOGE to reveal how it operates within government

* Democracy Forward requested ([link removed]) expedited discovery in their lawsuit to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Department of Labor data. If granted, this would be the first case that collects evidence on how the faux-agency operates within the federal government.

An open letter to Elon Musk

* Elon Musk said on X that Marc is "undermining civilization." Marc responded with a letter to Musk, saying "I will use every tool at my disposal to protect this country from Trump.” Read the full letter here ([link removed]) . ([link removed])

Hearings coming up tomorrow

* A hearing will be held ([link removed]) in Rhode Island in a lawsuit from 22 Democratic states and Washington, D.C. seeking a long-term block on Trump's federal funding freeze as litigation proceeds. A court previously issued ([link removed]) a temporary restraining order in the case.
* A federal Virginia court will hear a lawsuit seeking ([link removed]) to block DOGE's access to sensitive Treasury Department data. The plaintiffs argued DOGE has "exceeded the scope of their legal authority."

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