U.S. District Court
Coverage of U.S. District Court in the Nexus archive.
- Metro Nashville, new state airport board battle for authority
Metro Nashville and a state-appointed airport board are disputing control of the Nashville Airport Authority under a new state law. The state board claims its actions are constitutional, while Metro argues federal law prevents the FAA from recognizing the state takeover until the legal dispute is resolved. The FAA may approve the takeover only if the board agrees or a court resolves the matter.
- 5 People Sue Border Patrol Agents Over Use Of Tear Gas, Unlawful Detention During Midway Blitz
Five individuals are suing federal immigration agents over the use of tear gas and unlawful detention during Operation Midway Blitz. The lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court, allege agents injured Rafael Veraza and his daughter with tear gas, among other incidents. Attorneys seek accountability and identification of the involved agents.
- Eric Tostrud named chief judge for District of Minnesota
Eric C. Tostrud was named chief federal judge for the District of Minnesota, succeeding Patrick J. Schiltz. Tostrud was nominated by President Donald Trump in 2018 and confirmed by the Senate later that year. He previously worked as a lawyer at Lockridge Grindal Nauen in Minneapolis.
- Trump says his renovation plans for a golf course will have Washington hosting a ‘major’ tournament
President Donald Trump claims his redevelopment of the East Potomac Golf Links will enable it to host major golf tournaments, despite ongoing legal challenges and environmental concerns. The project involves criticism of the course's current condition and a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. Trump also toured updates to Lafayette Park and criticized Janeese Lewis George, the Democratic primary winner for Washington mayor, as a 'Communist.'
- Trump says his renovation plans for a golf course will have Washington hosting a 'major' tournament
President Donald Trump stated his renovation plans for the East Potomac Golf Links would allow it to host major tournaments like the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. The project faces a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, and toxic debris from White House demolition has been found on the site. Trump also toured updates to Lafayette Park and met with mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George, whom he labeled a 'Communist.'
- Trump order limiting voting by mail halted by federal court
A federal judge blocked major portions of President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, ruling he exceeded constitutional authority. The decision halts requirements for states to submit mail voter lists to the U.S. Postal Service and stops the Department of Homeland Security from compiling voting-age citizen lists.
- Judge blocks Trump order creating federal voter list, limiting mail-in ballots
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at creating a federal voter list and restricting mail-in ballots, ruling it unconstitutional for violating separation of powers. The decision affects the 2026 midterm elections and follows another recent ruling against a Trump executive order related to voter registration requirements.
- Federal judge halts Trump’s election executive order seeking to create a federal voter list
A federal judge halted President Donald Trump’s executive order aiming to create a federal voter list and restrict mail ballot distribution. The judge ruled the order unconstitutional, violating the separation of powers, and the decision applies to the 2026 midterm election cycle.
- Federal judge halts Trump’s election executive order seeking to create a federal voter list
A federal judge halted President Trump’s executive order aimed at creating a federal voter list and restricting mail ballot access. The judge ruled the order violated the separation of powers, siding with states that challenged its constitutionality. The decision applies to the 2026 midterm elections.
- Federal judge halts Trump’s election executive order seeking to create a federal voter list
A federal judge halted President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at creating a federal voter list and restricting mail ballots, ruling it unconstitutional for violating separation of powers. The order, which would have directed the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail ballots only to those on the list, was challenged by a coalition of states and blocked for the 2026 midterm elections. The judge denied the administration’s motion to dismiss the lawsuits, citing the urgency of the election cycle.
- The Latest: Federal judge bars Trump’s proof of citizenship requirement to vote
A federal judge permanently blocked most provisions of an executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, citing constitutional authority of states and Congress. President Trump canceled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill, angering GOP senators who argued it would hurt their midterm prospects.
- Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote
A federal judge permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, which required voters to show documentary proof of citizenship. The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper in Boston converts a preliminary injunction into a permanent one.
- Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote
A federal judge permanently blocked President Donald Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, citing constitutional authority for states and Congress to regulate elections. The ruling upholds a prior injunction and rejects the administration's argument that the lawsuit was premature, while Trump's alternative proposal, the SAVE America Act, faces Senate opposition.
- Judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote
A federal judge permanently barred President Donald Trump's administration from implementing most of his executive order on elections, which included requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. The ruling cited constitutional authority for states and Congress to regulate elections and rejected the administration's argument that the lawsuit was premature.
- Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote
A federal judge permanently blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing an executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, citing constitutional authority given to states and Congress over elections. The ruling rejected the administration’s claim that the lawsuit was premature and affirmed that the Constitution does not grant the President specific powers over elections.
- Judge rules government can’t stop SNAP dollars from buying candy and sugary drinks
A federal judge ruled the government cannot block SNAP benefits from being used to purchase candy and sugary drinks, citing failure to follow its own definition of 'food.' The decision overturns restrictions in 23 states aimed at curbing obesity through dietary changes, part of a campaign by Agriculture and Health Secretaries to limit such purchases.
- Trump administration to appeal dismissal of criminal charges against Abrego Garcia
The Trump administration plans to appeal a federal judge's dismissal of human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in 2025 and later returned to the U.S. The judge ruled the charges were retaliatory after Abrego challenged his deportation, calling the prosecution 'vindictive and selective.' Abrego faces a separate deportation case in Maryland.
- Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters
A federal judge blocked the use of a revamped federal database, SAVE, which the Trump administration sought to use for checking citizenship and purging voter rolls. The judge ruled the system violated privacy rights and statutory protections by centralizing personal data, marking a legal setback for efforts to nationalize election oversight.
- Judge blocks use of federal database to check citizenship, saying it could wrongly purge voters
A federal judge ruled the revamped SAVE system, used by the Trump administration to verify voter citizenship, is unlawful and risks wrongly purging voters. The judge cited violations of privacy rights and statutory protections against centralizing personal data, marking a legal setback for the administration's election integrity efforts.
- Trump ‘trampled’ voter privacy by feeding info into Homeland Security system, judge says
A judge ruled the Trump administration illegally reconfigured the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE program to check for noncitizen voters, violating voter privacy. The decision criticized the federal government for trampling citizens' privacy rights and undermining election integrity.
- Federal judge quashes 6 DOJ subpoenas targeting Minnesota, calls them ‘blatantly unlawful’
A federal judge in Minnesota dismissed six U.S. Department of Justice subpoenas targeting state officials during Operation Metro Surge, ruling they were 'blatantly unlawful' and an abuse of the grand-jury process. The judge found the subpoenas, which sought records related to immigration enforcement, were issued to coerce Minnesota into assisting ICE agents and retaliate against officials for noncompliance.
- Judge orders restoration of national park plaques removed under Trump directive
A US district court judge ordered the Trump administration to restore history and science materials removed from public monuments, citing censorship and sanitization concerns. The order follows an executive directive by Donald Trump in March 2025 to review monuments for altered historical representations.
- Judge orders restoration of national park plaques removed under Trump directive
A US district court judge ordered the Trump administration to restore history and science materials removed from national parks, citing censorship and sanitization concerns. The administration had 21 days to comply after the judge criticized the White House's actions as setting a dangerous precedent.
- Judge extends block on Trump's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
A federal judge extended a block on the Trump administration's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' until further notice, rejecting the government's claim that lawsuits challenging the fund are moot. The fund, created to resolve a lawsuit over leaked tax returns, faces bipartisan opposition, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced plans to scrap it, though plaintiffs and judges remain unconvinced.
- Trump seeks to continue BBC defamation suit
Trump's attorneys requested a federal judge not to dismiss his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC after missing court deadlines. The BBC argued the lawsuit should be dismissed, claiming Trump's reputation was not harmed as he won the 2024 election. Trump's lawyers attributed the delay to compliance with court procedures and a protective order.
- Mayes: Pima County GOP can’t cite a single time the rules they want blocked were misused
Pima County Republicans are challenging provisions in Arizona's 2025 Elections Procedures Manual in a U.S. District Court, arguing they violate the U.S. Constitution. Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes defend the rules, stating they align with existing state law and should not be blocked ahead of the July 21 primary.
- Federal judge strikes down Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas
A federal judge in Boston ruled against the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, stating the policy exceeded executive authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge's decision supports 20 states that argued the fee hindered their ability to hire educators, healthcare workers, and researchers.
- Sex Trafficker Convicted of Producing Child Pornography
A Boston man was convicted by a federal jury in U.S. District Court for producing and possessing child pornography. The title identifies him as a sex trafficker.
- US journalist pleads guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China
An American journalist who worked for Chinese state media pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal agent for China. He faces up to 10 years in prison and admitted to providing reports to Chinese agents, including one linked to China's security apparatus. The case is part of a series of U.S. prosecutions involving alleged Chinese government operatives.
- Aberdeen Woman Sentenced for Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes
A 27-year-old Aberdeen woman was sentenced to 17½ years in prison and 15 years of supervised release for sex trafficking a child, sexually exploiting a child, and distributing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher in federal court.
- Shelton Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Offense Stemming $739K Embezzlement Scheme
Pamela Aguilars, 65, of Shelton, pleaded guilty to a fraud offense related to embezzling over $739,000 from a Connecticut company. The case was adjudicated in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport before Judge Kari A. Dooley.
- Statement from the Civil Division on U.S. District Court Ruling in Rhode Island
The Civil Division issued a statement regarding a recent ruling by the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. The statement provides an official response to the court's decision.
- Former D.C. Housing Authority Employee Pleads Guilty to $15 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme
Richard Cunningham, 55, a former D.C. Housing Authority employee turned real estate developer in the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty to a mortgage fraud scheme involving over $15 million. The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in U.S. District Court.
- Illegal Alien, unlawfully present in U.S., sentenced to six years in prison for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl for an organization that targeted homeless encampments and Seattle’s Chinatown-International District
A 37-year-old Mexican national, formerly a resident of Issaquah, Washington, was sentenced to six years in prison for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl through an organization targeting homeless encampments and Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.
- Maryland Member of Major D.C. Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Sentenced to 87 Months
Michael Owens, 38, of St. Charles, Maryland, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in a multi-year conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in the District of Columbia. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in a U.S. District Court.
- Marylander Pleads Guilty in D.C. to Coercion and Enticement of a Minor
Daniel Cruz Ramirez, a Maryland resident, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to coercion and enticement of a minor related to sustained sexual abuse of a D.C. resident who was thirteen when the abuse began. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the guilty plea.
- Trump had his name slapped on JFK’s memorial. An Ohio congresswoman fought back and won
Rep. Joyce Beatty won a federal lawsuit blocking the renaming of the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center and halting its closure. A federal judge ordered the removal of Trump's name and reversed the rebranding, which violated a congressional statute.
- Virginia Man Sentenced in D.C. to 81 Months for His Role in Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy
Michael Augment, 38, of Lorton, Virginia, was sentenced to 81 months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in the District of Columbia. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
- Pentagon bars journalists from its press office, saying it has become a ‘classified space’
The Pentagon has declared its press office a classified space, barring journalists due to speechwriters handling classified material. The New York Times has sued the Defense Department over escort requirements, citing First Amendment violations, as tensions escalate between the media and the second Trump administration.
- Justice Department asks for judge’s recusal from Georgia election case over Fani Willis event
The Justice Department requested a federal judge to recuse herself from a lawsuit against Georgia election officials, citing her attendance at an event honoring Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as a potential bias. The filing was submitted to the U.S. District Court, arguing the event raises questions about the judge's impartiality.