Tracking Key Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration

"The lawsuits started almost immediately after Trump's first day, and seven months later, advocates continue to file new complaints, challenging various executive orders, guidance documents or decisions to cut grants. Inside Higher Ed is tracking some of the key legal challenges related to higher ed. That includes Harvard University's efforts to restore more than $2.7 billion in frozen research funding and protect its ability to enroll international students as well as several lawsuits aiming to stop the dismantling of the Education Department."

"What's new as of Sept. 8: In one of the more significant rulings for higher ed this year, the district court judge ruled that it was illegal for the administration to freeze more than $2 billion in federal research funding for Harvard University. The judge wrote that doing so violated the institution's First Amendment and procedural rights. The government is planning to appeal but hasn't done so yet."

Higher education associations, students, legal advocacy organizations and colleges have filed numerous lawsuits to block executive orders, DEI guidance, grant cuts and other Trump administration policy changes affecting higher education. Lawsuits began almost immediately after the administration's first day and continued over the following seven months, encompassing at least 42 tracked cases. Judges have ruled against the administration in roughly two-thirds of those cases so far. Major litigation includes Harvard's effort to restore more than $2.7 billion in frozen research funding and to protect international student enrollment. A district court found freezing over $2 billion violated Harvard's First Amendment and procedural rights; an appeal is expected.

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