NJ Vs. Trump: Where Legal Challenges On Funding, Federal Buyout Stand

NEW JERSEY — As President Donald Trump continues unveiling new executive orders and policy proposals, New Jersey is one of the states challenging the limits of his executive power in federal court.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and a coalition of other Democratic attorneys general have sought to block the president's attempts to freeze certain federal funding, undermine birthright citizenship, and push out government workers.

The latest of these lawsuits challenges funding cuts for universities and research institutions, which would affect both public and private schools in the Garden State.

In total, more than 50 lawsuits have already been filed against the Trump Administration — including by FBI agents who fear they’re being purged for political reasons, and families who are concerned about new limitations on healthcare for transgender youth. It’s unclear which legal battles will reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices can choose what cases to consider.

Here is a look at the five lawsuits that New Jersey is involved with, and where they stand in federal court:

Birthright citizenship

On Inauguration Day, Trump issued an order excluding the following people from automatic citizenship: those whose mothers were not legally in the United States and whose fathers were not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; people whose mothers were in the country legally but on a temporary basis and whose fathers were not citizens or legal permanent residents.

Platkin and the others challenged this order, saying it violates the constitutional rights of children born in the United States under the Fourteenth Amendment.

• When was the case filed? Jan. 21
• Latest updates: U.S. District Judge John Coughenour blocked the executive order on Thursday.

Freezing federal funding

Trump ordered an abrupt pause on trillions of dollars in grants and federal loans in the first week of his presidency, as his administration conducted an ideological review of spending. A subsequent lawsuit said this action was illegal, as Congress had already authorized the funding, and that it would disrupt day-to-day life for many New Jerseyans.

• When was the case filed? Jan. 28
• Latest updates: On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell told the Trump administration it must immediately restore the frozen funding.

Federal employee buyout

The Office of Budget and Personnel Management dubbed this plan the “Fork in the Road" just two weeks ago, offering full pay and benefits until September for any federal employee who accepted a deferred resignation by Feb. 6.

The coalition of attorneys general joined in a lawsuit that three federal unions filed against the administration, with Platkin calling the buyout a "scam" that is "nothing more than an attempt to intimidate public servants out of their jobs.”

• When was the case filed? Feb. 4
• Latest updates: U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. paused Trump’s plan on Thursday.

DOGE access to personal records

States sued to stop Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from accessing the Treasury's payment system, saying it put Americans' financial security and personal information at risk. This was several days after the Department allowed "special government employees" access to a critical payment system.

• When was the case filed? Feb. 7
• Latest updates: U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ordered a temporary restraining order blocking DOGE from accessing Treasury Department payment systems on Feb. 8.

Cuts to medical research

On Friday, the National Institutes of Health announced a cut to its "indirect cost" reimbursements at public health research institutions across the country, which would affect clinical trials and other medical research. New Jersey colleges and universities that would be impacted include Rutgers University, Rowan University, Princeton University, The College of New Jersey, and others, Platkin said.

• When was the case filed? Feb. 10
• Latest updates: U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley granted a temporary restraining order halting the cuts.

This article contains reporting from the Associated Press.