‘Playing with the courts’: Trump admin hit with dozens of suits after years of president condemning ‘lawfare’

Trump’s Court Battles Intensify as Democrats and Activists Launch Multi-Front War Against His Policies

President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office has reignited a firestorm of legal battles, with Democratic lawmakers, activists, and advocacy groups vowing to challenge his administration in court. Despite facing four criminal indictments during the transition between his first and second terms, Trump emerged victorious in the 2024 election, widening his resume to include the title of "convicted felon" and even embracing the notoriety with his supporters, who now wear apparel featuring his mugshot as a symbol of defiance. However, his second term has been met with fierce resistance, as opponents accuse him of advancing extreme policies that harm everyday Americans.

Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has wasted no time in reshaping the federal government to align with his "America First" agenda. He has signed more than 60 executive orders, targeting issues such as government spending, illegal immigration, and biological males competing in women’s sports. These actions have sparked at least 49 lawsuits against his administration, according to Fox News Digital. The legal challenges are being led by familiar foes, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, labor unions, and progressive advocacy groups, all of whom were vocal critics of Trump during his first term.

Democrats Declare War on Trump’s Policies, Vowing to Fight in Courts, Congress, and the Streets

The backlash against Trump’s policies has been swift and relentless. Democratic leaders, such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have condemned Trump’s agenda as an "extreme MAGA Republican" platform that prioritizes tax cuts for billionaires while burdening working-class Americans. Jeffries vowed to fight Trump legislatively, judicially, and even on the streets, emphasizing that Democrats will not stand idly by while Trump’s policies harm everyday citizens. Similarly, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas warned that Democrats will be "in your face" and "on your a–es," ensuring Trump understands "what democracy looks like."

Central to theHTural resistance is the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new agency tasked with identifying government mismanagement and corruption.Critics argue that DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is overstepping its authority by accessing sensitive federal data and unilaterally slashing funding to research institutions and universities. New York Attorney General Letitia James has been a leading figure in challenging DOGE, filing multiple lawsuits to block its actions. James has long been a thorn in Trump’s side, having filed nearly 100 legal actions against his first administration and vowing to continue her efforts during his second term.

Letitia James Leads the Charge Against Trump, Reviving Her Role as a Chief Antagonist

Letitia James, a fierce critic of Trump since his first term, has resumed her role as one of his most formidable legal adversaries. During her 2018 campaign for New York attorney general, James openly declared her intention to hold Trump accountable for what she described as his "abuses" of power, including policies targeting immigrants, transgender students, and the environment. She famously vowed, "I will never be afraid to challenge this illegitimate president when our fundamental rights are at stake."

True to her word, James has filed numerous lawsuits against Trump, including a high-profile civil fraud case that resulted in a $454 million judgment against him, his family, and the Trump Organization. She celebrated Trump’s conviction in a Manhattan criminal trial related to falsifying business records and has pledged to continue using the legal system to combat his policies. In response to Trump’s election victory, James declared, "We are prepared to fight back once again because, as the attorney general of this great state, it is my job to protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law."

Labor Unions and Advocacy Groups Join the Fray, Filing Dozens of Lawsuits

James is not alone in her efforts to challenge Trump. Labor unions and progressive advocacy groups, many of whom previously sued Trump during his first term, have also ramped up their legal efforts. The American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Government Employees are among the organizations that have filed lawsuits against DOGE, arguing that its actions violate federal laws and employee rights. The ACLU, which filed over 400 legal actions against Trump’s first administration, has also joined the fight, challenging an executive order that restricts transgender and nonbinary individuals from updating their passport gender markers.

Other groups, such as the State Democracy Defenders Fund, are taking more creative approaches. The nonprofit recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of FBI agents involved in Trump-related investigations, seeking to block the Justice Department from releasing their names. These lawsuits underscore the widespread opposition to Trump’s agenda and the determination of his critics to use every legal tool at their disposal to block his