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Judge rules Trump administration's cancellation of humanities grants was unconstitutional

Judge rules Trump administration's cancellation of humanities grants was unconstitutional

A federal judge in New York has ruled that the Trump administration's cancellation of over $100 million in humanities grants was unconstitutional

Federal Judge Declares Trump Administration's Humanities Grant Cancellations Unconstitutional

Federal Judge Declares Trump Administration's Humanities Grant Cancellations Unconstitutional

A federal judge in New York has ruled that the Trump administration's cancellation of over $100 million in humanities grants was unconstitutional. The decision came after several organizations, including The Authors Guild and the American Historical Association, sued the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The judge found that the administration's actions violated the First and Fifth Amendments, citing viewpoint discrimination as a key issue. The grants, which were canceled as part of a broader initiative to cut funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, were deemed unlawfully terminated.

Federal Judge Rules Mass Termination of NEH Grants Unconstitutional, Restores Funding

Federal Judge Rules Mass Termination of NEH Grants Unconstitutional, Restores Funding

U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon has ruled that the termination of over 1,400 grants by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was unconstitutional. The grants, which amounted to more than $100 million, were canceled in April 2025 by NEH officials and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) using AI tools to flag grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The American Council of Learned Societies, along with other associations, sued to reverse the terminations, arguing that the actions violated First Amendment rights and lacked statutory authority. The judge's decision highlights the misuse of AI in grant evaluations and the lack of experience among DOGE staff involved in the process.

Justice Department targets slow immigration judges as Trump pushes faster deportations

Justice Department targets slow immigration judges as Trump pushes faster deportations

The Justice Department is working to remove immigration judges who are slow or not following the law, according to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche

House Democrat Presses Commerce Department on Government's Use of Spyware

House Democrat Presses Commerce Department on Government's Use of Spyware

Representative Summer Lee, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, is urging the Commerce Department to provide a briefing to Congress regarding the federal government's use of commercial spyware. This request follows concerns about the Trump administration's potential embrace of such technology. Lee's letter specifically addresses the use of Paragon's Graphite spyware by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the acquisition of a controlling stake in Israel's NSO Group by an American company. The NSO Group, previously sanctioned under President Biden due to allegations of misuse, is now seen as potentially aligning with the Trump administration's interests. Lee, who is a member of the Oversight and Government Reform panel, is seeking detailed information on the Commerce Department's internal discussions and communications with the White House regarding the use of NSO Group's technology.

State Attorneys General Intensify Legal Challenges Against Federal Government

State Attorneys General Intensify Legal Challenges Against Federal Government

State attorneys general across the United States are increasingly banding together to file lawsuits against the federal government, a trend that has accelerated since President Trump's return to office. This strategy, which began during President Obama's tenure, has become a common tool for states to challenge federal policies. The lawsuits often focus on issues such as citizenship, mail-in voting, and environmental regulations. California and Texas have been at the forefront, with California leading numerous suits against the Trump administration, while Texas frequently challenged President Biden's policies. The collaboration among states allows them to pool resources and legal expertise, enhancing their ability to contest federal actions.

Commerce Secretary Lutnick Questioned Over Epstein Ties by Congress

Commerce Secretary Lutnick Questioned Over Epstein Ties by Congress

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced congressional investigators regarding his past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Lutnick, a high-ranking official in the Trump administration, was questioned about his contact with Epstein, which extended beyond his initial claims. The inquiry focused on multiple interactions, including a 2012 visit to Epstein's Caribbean island. Despite Lutnick's assertions of minimal contact, the investigation revealed continued communication and business dealings with Epstein. The White House has expressed confidence in Lutnick, but the scrutiny highlights ongoing concerns about the administration's ties to Epstein.

USDA Faces Lawsuit Over Delayed Release of Agriculture Secretary Emails

USDA Faces Lawsuit Over Delayed Release of Agriculture Secretary Emails

Investigate Midwest has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in federal court due to a 14-month delay in releasing email records. These records pertain to the USDA's actions under the Trump Administration, which included significant staff reductions and cuts to grant programs. The request, made in February 2025, sought emails involving Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins that referenced Elon Musk, DOGE, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Despite the USDA stating in March 2025 that the records were in 'final review,' the documents have not been released. Investigate Midwest, a watchdog for the food industry, argues that these records are crucial for understanding the rationale behind the cuts, which have impacted millions of farmers and ranchers.

Trump Administration Backs Major Richard Star Act, Impacting Disabled Veterans' Benefits

Trump Administration Backs Major Richard Star Act, Impacting Disabled Veterans' Benefits

The Trump administration has publicly endorsed the Major Richard Star Act, a legislative proposal aimed at changing how certain disabled military retirees receive their benefits. This proposal seeks to eliminate a rule that reduces military retirement pay for some combat-disabled veterans who also receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation. If passed, the law could affect approximately 54,000 veterans across the United States. The act is named after Army Reserve Major Richard Star, who was medically retired due to service-related illness and later died from cancer linked to burn pit exposure. The legislation has been introduced multiple times but has not yet been brought to a final vote, despite having significant bipartisan support in Congress. The main obstacle to its passage has been concerns over funding, with estimates suggesting it could cost around $11 billion over ten years.

California investigates Trump administration's deal to end an offshore wind project

California investigates Trump administration's deal to end an offshore wind project

California is investigating one of the Trump administration’s deals to end an offshore wind project

California Probes Trump Administration's Offshore Wind Project Termination Deal

California Probes Trump Administration's Offshore Wind Project Termination Deal

California is investigating a deal made by the Trump administration to terminate an offshore wind project known as Golden State Wind. The California Energy Commission has issued an administrative subpoena to Golden State Wind, seeking documents and information about the company's agreement with the Department of Interior. This agreement involved accepting a payout in exchange for abandoning its offshore wind lease. The Trump administration has been spending nearly $2 billion to encourage energy companies to withdraw from U.S. offshore wind projects, a strategy adopted after federal courts blocked President Trump's attempts to halt offshore wind development. The deal with Golden State Wind is part of a broader effort that includes similar agreements with other companies, such as TotalEnergies and Bluepoint Wind, which have been offered reimbursements to invest in fossil fuels instead.

Trump Administration to Test AI Models from Tech Giants, Signaling Policy Shift

Trump Administration to Test AI Models from Tech Giants, Signaling Policy Shift

The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) policy by initiating pre-deployment testing of AI models developed by major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, and xAI. This move, led by the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) at the Commerce Department, marks a departure from the previous hands-off strategy. The testing aims to evaluate the national security implications of these frontier AI models. The administration is also considering an executive order to establish oversight procedures for these models, reflecting growing concerns about AI's potential risks, particularly in cybersecurity. This initiative comes amid discussions about the unpredictable cyber risks posed by new AI models like Anthropic's Mythos.