Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has signed more than 100 executive orders, including 26 on his first day, according to the Federal Register. These orders cover a broad range of policies, from addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, gender-affirming care, and birthright citizenship. Several of these orders have faced legal challenges, with lawsuits playing out in courts across the country. In this post, we’ll examine some of the most significant executive orders and where they currently stand in the legal battle.

1. Changes to Federal DEI Policies

Executive Order 14151 directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to end federal DEI-related programs and initiatives. It mandates a government-wide review of DEIA-related roles. Agencies must report relevant personnel to the OMB within 60 days.

Legal Battle: A federal appeals court lifted a nationwide injunction blocking Trump’s DEI orders, allowing enforcement during ongoing legal challenges. Judges acknowledged potential First Amendment concerns. Plaintiffs include Baltimore’s mayor and City Council, diversity education associations, and advocacy groups.

2. Birthright Citizenship Criteria

Executive Order 14160 changes birthright citizenship policy by denying automatic U.S. citizenship to children born in the country if their parents are undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. It directs federal agencies to adjust documentation processes and implement enforcement measures, though legal challenges have emerged concerning its interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Legal Battle: Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship is currently blocked by multiple nationwide court injunctions. Several judges ruled it unconstitutional. However, the administration has asked the Supreme Court to limit those injunctions so the policy could take effect in parts of the country while legal challenges continue, but so far, courts have upheld birthright citizenship as a fundamental constitutional right.

3. Policy Change Regarding Gender-Affirming Care

Executive Order 14187 prohibits federal funding, support, and insurance coverage related to medical treatment for gender transition, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries. It directs federal agencies to enforce restrictions, review existing policies, and explore legal actions related to these treatments.

Legal Battle: A federal judge temporarily blocked parts of this executive order, saying the order may unlawfully withhold federal funding and put young people at risk. The judge’s decision allows care providers to resume services while legal challenges continue.

4. New Policy on Transgender Military Service

Executive Order 14183 directs the U.S. military to update its policies to exclude individuals with gender dysphoria or those who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from serving, citing the administration’s stated concerns. It also revokes previous policies that allowed transgender individuals to serve and requires the Department of Defense to eliminate pronoun usage and facility access inconsistent with a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Legal Battle: A federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Trump’s ban on transgender military service members, ruling that the policy is likely unconstitutional and cannot be enforced while legal challenges continue. The administration plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the president has broad authority over military personnel policies, while opponents claim the ban unlawfully discriminates against transgender individuals.

5. Closure of the Department of Education

Executive Order 14242 seeks to close the U.S. Department of Education, shifting authority over education from the federal government to state and local communities. The administration argues that federal control has been ineffective and expensive, and transferring these powers back to the states would improve educational outcomes and service delivery. Additionally, it emphasizes compliance with laws prohibiting discrimination and restricts programs related to diversity and gender identity

Legal Battle: Teachers’ unions and civil rights advocates have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, arguing the move violates congressional authority and is unconstitutional.

6. Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Executive Order 14158 establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to modernize federal technology and software, enhancing efficiency and productivity across federal agencies. It reorganizes the United States Digital Service into a new temporary organization (US DOGE Service) that coordinates with specialized teams within each agency to implement technological upgrades and improve inter-agency data sharing.

Legal Battle: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing private personal data held by several federal agencies. The judge ruled that providing DOGE with extensive personal records likely violated federal privacy laws.

7. Review of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Executive Order 14163 temporarily suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to reassess its alignment with national security, public safety, and resource availability. The order directs federal agencies to review the refugee admissions process and encourages increased involvement from state and local governments in decisions related to refugee resettlement. Admissions can still be permitted individually if deemed in the national interest and safe for the community.

Legal Battle: A federal court temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s executive order, ruling that the administration must continue processing refugee applications that were conditionally approved before January 20, 2025. The lawsuit was filed by refugee aid organizations and individuals who argued that the order harmed their ability to provide services to refugees. The court’s order requires the government to continue existing agreements related to refugee resettlement while the legal case proceeds.

8. Accountability for Federal Employees in Policy-Influencing Positions

Executive Order 14171 reinstates and modifies a prior policy known as Schedule F, which impacts federal employees in roles involving policy decisions or advisory functions. The order emphasizes the President’s authority to hold these employees accountable for effectively carrying out the administration’s policies and sets new rules for determining which jobs are affected and when employees can be removed for poor performance or not following directions.

Legal Battle: The National Treasury Employees Union has filed a lawsuit saying it would make it easier to fire many government workers who currently have strong job protections. The union argues that this order weakens existing rules designed to ensure federal employees are hired and kept in their jobs based on their skills and qualifications, not political affiliation. These workers typically stay in their roles even when the presidency changes.

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