Dear Friend,

As you know, President Trump has been attempting to dismantle the federal government through executive action – making it impossible for government to deliver needed services to American communities, all in the name of paying for tax cuts for billionaires. I have been working with my colleagues to do everything in our power to halt these illegal actions from occurring. 

As the minority party in the House, Democrats cannot currently bring a lawsuit against these actions, and the Republican Majority has chosen not to assert the authority of Congress as a separate branch of government. However, my Democratic colleagues and I are working with the many outside groups who are responding through the courts. In 19 weeks, almost 250 lawsuits have been filed by Americans challenging President Trump’s Illegal executive actions. In response to these lawsuits, federal judges have issued more than 171 court orders that block or pause this Administration’s lawless and unconstitutional actions. I will continue to fight to ensure that public education, Social Security, courts, and Medicaid systems all remain intact and well-funded for the communities they serve. Below is an update on litigation underway to halt any illegal and unconstitutional actions by this Administration.

Defending Public Service Workers: 

The Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force, which I co-chair with Representatives Joe Neguse and Jamie Raskin, filed an amicus brief opposing President Trump’s unlawful attempts to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). I joined this brief along with 253 Congressional Democrats. 

In this brief we touched on the importance of Congress’ authority to “enact removal protections for the boards and commission of independent agencies like the NLRB and the MSPB.” 

Additionally, I led a bipartisan group of 265 lawmakers demanding that President Trump reinstate fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox. Thankfully, the Courts intervened, and NLRB Member Wilcox is back at work. 

I also am a strong supporter of the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act which would ensure the rights of public employees to organize and collectively bargain as they see fit. When public service employees are being attacked by this new administration and their billionaire buddies, I will stand strong in my support of hard-working Americans and their rights.  

Protecting the Department of Education:

I understand and value the crucial role the Department of Education plays for public education in our country. Nine out of ten children in this country are benefit from public education. The Department is critical for students with disabilities, protecting civil rights, and establishing policies for equal access to education. 

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the closure and dismantling of the Department of Education. However, this executive order is a gross abuse of power and will have harmful effects for millions of Americans. Congress created the Department of Education, only Congress can close the Department of Education. 

Along with Representatives Neguse, Bobby Scott, and Raskin, I helped lead an amicus brief before the District Court of Massachusetts to stand up for the important work of the Department of Education.

Our brief takes action to ensure a quality education for all and defend the students, teachers, and families served by the Department of Education. The brief provides overwhelming evidence that the Trump Administration is usurping Congress’s exclusive constitutional authority to create, dismantle, and reorganize federal agencies; violating Congress’ explicit statutory mandates regarding the Department’s organizational structure and functions; and infringing on Congress’ power of the purse, which is the quintessential separation of powers constraint that Congress holds over the Executive.

Limiting DOGE’s Reach:

Elon Musk and his colleagues at the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency”
(DOGE) have intimidated, threatened and pillaged multiple government agencies. While claims have been made that they are “eliminating waste, fraud and abuse,” there is no clear or cohesive plan that this “Department” is following. But I will not stand idle as these abuses happen. I fully condemn Musk’s dangerous attacks on government programs that help our communities and families.

Employees at DOGE have tried to access sensitive personal information and the payment systems at the Treasury Department. Along with 202 Democrats, I supported the Taxpayer Data Protection Act which would prevent this department from accessing citizens’ private data. Moreover, it would add a layer of protection against anyone attempting to access the agency's systems. Citizens deserve the right to privacy and should have peace of mind that government agencies will protect their data.

Protecting Social Security:

The Social Security Administration remains one of the most foundational institutions for the economic security of millions of Americans. By providing hard-working Americans economic security as they retire, the Social Security Administration is a stable and secure source of income for those who have worked their whole lives. That is why I am a proud supporter of new legislation to protect this Administration against any attacks from the executive branch.

I am a proud supporter of two of Congressman John Larson’s Social Security bills including the Protecting American’s Social Security Data Act which would stop DOGE and any other political appointees

from accessing sensitive data systems and set out clear penalties for any violations. and the Keeping our Field Office Open Act, which would protect the number of field offices as well as their funding in order to ensure all Americans can access their hard-earned benefits. Congress has a moral responsibility to protect and strengthen Social Security so that hard-working Americans can fully and fairly receive the benefits they paid for.

House Judiciary Committee: 

The House Judiciary Committee’s Democrats have raised the alarm at their Republican counterpart’s support of President Trump’s reconciliation bill. This bill, amongst other defunding measures, included provisions to strip courts of their power to hold the Administration in contempt when the President violates court orders and to gut the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which protects consumers and lowers costs. Democrats were able to remove the latter provision from the bill with bipartisan support.  

When Democrats on the Committee suggested 30 commonsense amendments to the bill, protecting the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and American’s freedoms, Republicans voted no. These votes were extremely disheartening as the proposed legislation now includes more power for the executive branch, putting the power of the courts in jeopardy.

The U.S. Marshals Service, a force asked with enforcing federal laws and providing support to the federal justice system process, has been under threat by the Trump Administration. That is why House Democrats introduced a bill to move the U.S. Marshals Service under the Judicial Branch. This would ensure it could protect federal judges and enforce federal court orders without risk of political weaponization by Trump or the executive branch.  

Federal Litigation Efforts:

The balance of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is fundamental to our countries’ founding principles. These checks prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. As of May 29th, there are over 179 cases that have been filed against the Trump Administration’s harmful actions. As of May 29, federal judges have issues over 171 court order that block or pause the Administrations unlawful actions. Listed below are some of the more notable cases.

• PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEE TERMINATIONS: On April 8th, the Supreme Court issued a stay on a district court judge’s preliminary injunction that required reinstatement of probationary employees fired by the Trump Administration in February. The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case but rather ruled that the plaintiffs — nine non-profit organizations — did not have standing. In a separate case, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay in a district court’s preliminary injunction blocking the termination of probationary employees.
• INDEPENDENT BOARD REMOVALS: The U.S. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated orders from a district court that required the reinstatement of Cathy Harris, a member of the MSPB and Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the NLRB. The full court decision overturned a previous 2-1 decision by the D.C. Circuit to stay the district court decision to reinstate the independent agency leaders. On April 9th, the Supreme Court stayed the Circuit Court’s decision pending the appeal.
• DOGE ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION: On April 7th, the U.S. Fourth
  Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay to the Trump Administration pending their appeal to the district court over the disclosure of personal information to DOGE. The district court issued a TRO in February and is currently considering a motion for an injunction that would prevent DOGE from accessing any personal information within the Treasury Department, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Education. It is crucial that the court system stop DOGE from accessing sensitive data across multiple government departments.
• FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: On April 8th, a U.S. district court judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump Administration’s ban on the Associated
  Press’ access to the Oval Office and the East Room. The federal district court judge ruled that the specific targeting of the Associated Press was unconstitutional.  

• BLOCKING TARIFFS:  A dozen states, including Connecticut, have joined together in a lawsuit to block President Trump’s tariffs that have upended global trading norms and risked an all-out trade war with our allies. This lawsuit argues that the President does not have the unilateral ability to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump has cited this law, alongside spurious national emergency declarations, to impose his “Liberation Day” tariffs, which have thrown the market into chaos, threatened global supply chains, and have already resulted in higher costs for small businesses and consumers.

Federal Court Notable Victories:

In addition to the cases listed above, which are still underway, there have been some notable court victories across the country, some even coming from Republican judges. Listed below are some of the most recent ones.

• Department of Education Dismantling Halted:  A federal judge blocked Trump from dismantling the Department of Education and ordered the Administration to reinstate fired employees. The judge cited the amicus brief I mentioned above which was led the House Litigation Task Force and signed by 192 House Democrats, including myself. The judge restated what we have repeatedly claimed that Trump’s actions were illegal without Congressional authorization.
• International Student Ban at Harvard:  A Massachusetts judge temporarily blocked the Trump Administration from removing Harvard’s international student population. The university claimed the move was retaliatory and unconstitutional. This temporary order allows 27% of the student body from having to find another university.  
• Termination of Student Visas Blocked:  A federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from revoking student visas. This Bush-appointed judge said that the administration’s decision “uniformly wreaked havoc” and “likely exceeded their authority” as the executive branch.  

• Freeze on Trump’s Mass Layoffs Extended:  A judge has extended the previous order of blocking the Trump Administration from moving forward with any mass layoffs at 22 various government agencies until a lawsuit challenging the firings is resolved.
• Judge Stops Trump’s Firings of Independent Privacy Watchdogs:  A judge has ruled that Trump broke the law when he fired 3 Democrat-appointed members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. This independent civil liberties watchdog is important for our democracy, and this ruling defends it.
• U.S. Institute of Peace Protected: The U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent agency created by President Ronald Reagan and Congress, works to end violent conflicts worldwide. Despite efforts by Trump to shut down this institute, a judge blocked the administration from such efforts.

• Health Funding Protected by Judge:  A Trump-appointed judge stopped Trump from slashing more than $11 billion in public health funding. This funding that goes towards state and local health department is crucial to the American people’s health.  
• Environmental Grants Reinstated:  A South Carolina federal judge demanded that the Trump Administration reinstate $176 million for environmental project which were previously approved and granted under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This funding has been congressionally approved and must be spent accordingly.  

• Due Process Defended: A Bush-appointed judge ruled against the Trump Administration who illegally deported a Venezuelan man under the Alien Enemies Act. The judge said that the right to due process is “part of what has made, and will continue to make, America great.”  

Please rest assured I will continue to fight for all Americans to have their protected freedoms as the Trump Administration tries to dismantle key foundations of our government and democracy. To stay up-to-date with any future litigation and legislative efforts from my office, I also encourage you to subscribe to my newsletter here, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

                                                                                            Sincerely,