America First Legal Newsletter – January 5, 2026

Happy New Year! As 2026 begins, the America First Legal team is hard at work to save our country. Every day, we fight to defend the rights of everyday Americans, uphold the rule of law, and deliver real wins on behalf of the American people.

Here are last week’s highlights:

• Exposed a baseless blue state lawsuit challenging lawful actions by the Trump Administration.

• Prevailed in an appeal regarding a school district hiding gender transitions from parents.

• Defended a school administrator who was fired following his exercise of protected speech.

• Put a university on notice for failing to protect a student from death threats after they reported potential violations of federal immigration law to ICE.

THIS WEEK’S KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Last week, AFL exposed that multiple states suing the Trump Administration over Medicaid data sharing lack evidence to support their allegations of harm, and therefore do not have standing to sue. 

Colorado, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Arizona have admitted that they have no responsive records showing data leaks, increased costs, reduced care, or any of the injuries they alleged in their complaint. These revelations came as a federal judge ruled that the Trump Administration may lawfully share Medicaid information related to illegal immigrants — a major win for immigration enforcement and the rule of law. AFL will continue to expose baseless blue-state lawfare that challenges lawful actions by the Trump Administration.

AFL has secured a major victory against Mesa Public Schools after the Arizona Court of Appeals rejected the district’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its policy of secretly hiding students’ in-school gender transitions from parents. The lawsuit exposed a policy that encouraged children to adopt new names and gender identities at school while deliberately keeping parents in the dark. 

The court reinstated claims against the state’s largest school district, affirming that parents — not school bureaucrats — have the legal right to direct their children’s upbringing under Arizona’s Parents’ Bill of Rights. AFL will keep fighting to protect parental rights and stop radical gender ideology from infiltrating America’s public schools.

America First Legal Appeals Extraordinary Dismissal of Teacher’s First Amendment Lawsuit Alleging that Cherry Creek School District Fired Him for Saying He Was Proud to Be an American

AFL filed an opening brief in the Tenth Circuit on behalf of a middle school dean who was fired for stating he was proud to be an American, appealing the dismissal of a First Amendment lawsuit against the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. The brief argues that the lower court wrongly dismissed the case with prejudice, denying AFL’s client the opportunity to develop facts or have his constitutional claims heard.

The appeal challenges the court’s misapplication of the First Amendment, treating the dean’s speech as unprotected, job-related speech. AFL’s client had been targeted after he participated in a district-mandated “Courageous Conversations” session, where the school district invited him to “speak his truth” and then accused the dean that his speech had “racist undertones” given his praise for the United States. AFL is seeking reversal and remand of this case, warning that if public employers can punish patriotic speech without judicial scrutiny, the First Amendment becomes meaningless.

AFL sent a demand letter to Boston University (BU) on behalf of a BU student the university failed to protect. AFL’s client, Zachary Segal, received credible death threats after he lawfully reported suspected violations of federal immigration law to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite Segal receiving multiple explicit death threats, BU refused to condemn the violence, publicly criticized him, and effectively forced him out of classes by admitting the university could not guarantee his safety.

AFL’s letter to BU makes clear that the university’s failure to take affirmative action on behalf of its student violates BU’s legal duty of care and its own commitments to free expression. AFL has demanded a reasonable accommodation that will allow Segal to complete his education through BU’s Washington, D.C. program. AFL will continue to hold universities accountable when they allow mob intimidation to silence political speech.

AMERICA FIRST LEGAL IN THE NEWS: 

“Legal advocacy group America First Legal (AFL) has accused Boston University of failing to protect a student who was targeted by ‘credible death threats’ after he reported suspected violations of federal law to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).”

The Washington Post: Conservative backlash brews over DEI efforts of U-Va.’s next president

“Earlier this year, America First Legal, co-founded by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, urged the Justice Department to take enforcement action against the business school, among other colleges at U-Va., alleging it had rebranded DEI initiatives while continuing to offer scholarships to underrepresented students and partnering with outside organizations to support LGBTQ+ students.

In a statement, America First Legal president Gene Hamilton noted Darden’s DEI policies and said Beardsley’s appointment as president was ‘an opportunity for correction.’”

The Daily Signal: Census Battle: How This Lawsuit Could Change Political Power in Congress

“A federal lawsuit could be decided in early 2026 to require the Census Bureau to only count people rather than use statistical sampling—a move that could determine who controls Congress.

America First Legal is representing the plaintiffs in the case, and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. has also intervened as a plaintiff.”

Law.com: Navigating the DEI Crossroads: EPLI Coverage Risks in a Two-Sided Litigation Era

“America First Legal submitted an EEOC investigation request against Kellogg’s in August 2023, challenging goals to achieve 25 percent diverse management and a fellowship program for Black chefs as unlawful discriminatory hiring and training practices.”

America First Legal Foundation is an IRS-approved section 501(c)(3) public charity. Your donation to America First Legal Foundation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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