Federal Appeals Court
Coverage of Federal Appeals Court in the Nexus archive.
- Florida law banning kids at drag shows is constitutional, appeals court says
A federal appeals court has upheld a Florida child-protection law that bans minors at drag shows, ruling that the prohibition is constitutional. This ruling concludes nearly three years of legal battles regarding the legislation. The challenged law had previously drawn strong criticism from both Democrats and LGBTQ advocates.
- Court rules against Trump EPA’s freeze of $20B in ‘green bank’ funds
A federal appeals court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency improperly terminated $20B in 'green bank' financing, potentially leading to a Supreme Court case over a Trump administration action against a Biden-era climate program.
- 450,000 student loan borrowers may get debt forgiven in $23B settlement
A $23 billion class-action settlement with the Department of Education may forgive debt for 450,000 student loan borrowers. The lawsuit, led by an advocacy group in 2019, alleged that schools misled students with false promises about education outcomes. The Trump administration delayed the settlement, but a federal appeals court recently denied its request to postpone borrower applications.
- 450,000 student loan borrowers may get debt forgiven in $23B settlement
A $23 billion class-action settlement with the Department of Education could result in debt forgiveness for 450,000 student loan borrowers due to institutional misconduct by schools. A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration's request to delay the settlement, potentially expanding eligibility. The settlement applies to borrowers who applied for relief by November 15, 2022.
- 450,000 student loan borrowers may get debt forgiven in $23B settlement
A $23 billion class-action settlement with the Department of Education could forgive debt for 450,000 student loan borrowers. The lawsuit, initiated in 2019 by an advocacy group, accused dozens of now-closed schools of institutional misconduct, including misleading students about career outcomes and credit transferability. A federal appeals court denied a Trump administration request to delay the settlement, potentially allowing 200,000 more borrowers to qualify if they applied by Nov. 15, 2022.
- Federal appeals court says Trump administration wrongly terminated multi-billion program to boost clean energy projects
A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration incorrectly terminated a multi-billion dollar program designed to support clean energy projects. The decision challenges the administration's action on the initiative.
- Three Houston-area moms sue over Ten Commandments in schools. They say it violates Texas’ own laws
Three Houston-area moms are suing over a 2025 Texas law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The law was upheld by a federal appeals court in spring 2025 but is now being challenged in a Harris County state-level court.
- Appeals court rejects the Trump administration’s expansion of mandatory detention for immigrants
A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s expansion of mandatory detention for immigrants, ruling that detained immigrants in the U.S. must be given a chance for release on bond.
- Michael Madigan appeals corruption conviction to Supreme Court
Michael Madigan has appealed his corruption conviction to the Supreme Court. This follows a federal appeals court upholding his conviction three months ago.
- Trump asks Supreme Court to step into dispute over mail-in ballot executive order
President Trump requested the Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over his executive order regarding mail-in ballots. A federal appeals court maintained a lower court's decision blocking implementation of key parts of the order.
- Trump administration asks Supreme Court to intervene to allow mail-in voting restrictions
The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to allow mail-in voting restrictions, but a federal appeals court maintained existing restrictions in 23 states that had sued. The court cited the need for states to prepare for potential election changes.
- The Latest: Trump praises his sweeping tariffs while in Michigan for a speech on the economy
A federal appeals court upheld a ruling blocking President Trump’s executive order to restrict mail-in voting, and the Trump administration acknowledged canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Trump has urged the Supreme Court to allow the mail-in voting order ahead of midterms, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune challenged efforts to pass the SAVE Act.
- The Latest: Appeals court upholds injunction that blocks Trump’s order to create federal voter list
A federal appeals court upheld an injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s order to create a federal voter list and restrict mail ballots. The Trump administration canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
- The Latest: Appeals court upholds injunction that blocks Trump’s order to create federal voter list
A federal appeals court upheld an injunction blocking President Trump’s executive order to create a federal voter list and restrict mail-in voting. The Trump administration canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Stock markets rose and oil prices fell as tensions between the U.S. and Iran eased, with mediators reporting progress in halting the conflict.
- Federal appeals court rejects Trump bid to enforce mail ballot order ahead of midterm elections
A federal appeals court rejected Trump's attempt to enforce a mail ballot order ahead of the midterm elections. The DOJ indicated it could seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court if the court's decision was unfavorable.
- Appeals court upholds White House adviser Peter Navarro’s contempt of Congress convictions
A federal appeals court upheld Peter Navarro’s convictions for defying a subpoena for records from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Navarro was a White House adviser at the time of the legal proceedings.
- Appeals court narrows setback for Trump USPS mail-in ballot policy
A federal appeals court allowed the U.S. Postal Service to proceed with changes to mail-in ballot delivery procedures while legal challenges continue, but the Trump administration rule remains stalled under a separate court order. A D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel halted a lower court's action.
- Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
A federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional. This marks the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state-level ban on such weapons, occurring as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to evaluate the constitutionality of semiautomatic rifle bans.
- Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
A federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional. This marks the first time a federal court has struck down a state-level assault weapons ban, as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to evaluate whether semiautomatic rifle bans violate the Second Amendment.
- Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
A federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional. This decision is the first time a federal appeals court has invalidated a state ban on such weapons, as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to review whether semiautomatic rifle bans violate the Second Amendment.
- Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey's assault weapons ban is unconstitutional. This decision marks the first time a federal appeals court has struck down a state-level ban on such weapons, coinciding with the U.S. Supreme Court's upcoming consideration of whether semiautomatic rifle bans violate the Second Amendment.
- USPS to move forward with major mail-in voting change: ‘A win for election integrity’
The USPS is implementing a major mail-in voting change, citing it as a win for election integrity. A federal appeals court ruling in California, which could reshape how ballots are handled nationwide, has provided support for voters facing long election result waits.
- Federal appeals court rules that New Jersey’s assault weapons ban is unconstitutional
A federal appeals court ruled that New Jersey’s bans on assault firearms and high-capacity magazines are unconstitutional. The decision challenges state-level restrictions on specific types of firearms and ammunition capacity.
- Trump administration replaces President’s House slavery exhibit in Philadelphia after months-long legal battle
The Trump administration replaced an exhibit at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, shifting focus away from George Washington’s enslavement of nine individuals during his presidency. A federal appeals court ruled Philadelphia had no authority to control interpretive content at the federally owned site, allowing the National Park Service to install the new exhibit, which softens Washington’s role in slavery while acknowledging his actions related to the institution.
- Federal appeals court ends a decades-old school desegregation order in Louisiana
A federal appeals court has ended over 60 years of federal oversight of a Louisiana school system that was mandated to eliminate segregation. The decision marks the conclusion of a long-standing desegregation order in the state.
- Court revives lawsuits tying Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism and ADHD
A federal appeals court reversed a district court's dismissal of lawsuits linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism and ADHD, stating the dismissal was based on unreliable scientific evidence. The decision allows the lawsuits to proceed, challenging the initial ruling that rejected the claims due to insufficient scientific support.
- Appeals court lets Florida revive suit against pediatricians group
A federal appeals court has allowed Florida to resume a lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging the organization misled the public about the safety of gender-transition treatments for minors. The decision paused a lower court injunction that had previously blocked the case.
- Federal appeals court rejects bid to revive in-state tuition for Texas students without legal status
A federal appeals court rejected an attempt to restore in-state tuition eligibility for Texas students without legal status. The Texas Dream Act, which allowed such students to qualify for in-state tuition for over two decades, was overturned last year.
- Federal appeals court upholds Illinois ban on semiautomatic weapons, overturning lower-court ruling
A federal appeals court upheld an Illinois ban on semiautomatic weapons, reversing a previous lower-court ruling. The decision enforces the state's prohibition on the sale and possession of such firearms.
- Federal appeals court upholds Illinois ban on assault weapons
A federal appeals court has upheld Illinois' ban on assault weapons. The decision maintains the state's existing restrictions on these firearms.
- Court clears way for replacement of slavery exhibit at President's House in Philadelphia
A federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to immediately replace the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia. The decision clears the way for changes to the exhibit without further legal delays.
- Court clears way for replacement of slavery exhibit at President's House in Philadelphia
A federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to immediately replace the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia. The decision clears the way for the exhibit's replacement.
- Court clears way for replacement of slavery exhibit at President's House in Philadelphia
A federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to immediately replace the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia. The decision clears the way for the exhibit's replacement.
- Court clears way for replacement of slavery exhibit at President's House in Philadelphia
A federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to immediately replace the slavery exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia. The court cleared the way for this action.
- Appeals court rejects Trump EPA bid to abandon rule restricting deadly soot pollution
A federal appeals court rejected the Environmental Protection Agency's attempt to abandon a Biden-era rule restricting soot pollution from industrial sources. The decision blocks efforts to weaken standards for pollution from coal-fired plants, factories, and other industrial facilities, marking a setback for the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda.
- Federal appeals court allows the Trump administration to resume expanded use of speedy deportations
A federal appeals court permitted the Trump administration to resume expanded use of speedy deportations for undocumented immigrants across the United States, extending beyond the border. The decision allows the administration to implement this policy nationwide.
- Appeals court rejects Trump EPA bid to abandon rule restricting deadly soot pollution
A federal appeals court rejected the Environmental Protection Agency's attempt to abandon a Biden-era rule that imposes strict standards for soot pollution. The court's decision upholds regulations targeting deadly soot emissions.
- Appeals court allows Trump administration expanded use of speedy deportations
A federal appeals court permitted the Trump administration to resume expanded use of speedy deportations across the United States, not limited to border areas. The decision allows nationwide implementation of this policy.
- Supreme Court restores conviction in Etan Patz murder
The Supreme Court reversed a federal appeals court ruling that had ordered a new trial for Pedro Hernandez, who confessed to strangling six-year-old Etan Patz in New York. The decision restores Hernandez's conviction in the 33-year-old murder case.
- Supreme Court reinstates murder conviction in case of Etan Patz, missing New York City boy
The Supreme Court reinstated a murder conviction in the 1979 disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz by a 6-3 vote, reversing a federal appeals court decision that had overturned the verdict. Three liberal justices dissented from the ruling.