Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., are suing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the unlawful rescission of $12 billion in public health funding. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the cuts, which will reportedly eliminate crucial public health services and cost thousands of healthcare jobs. The states argue that the funds, while initially allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported long-term public health infrastructure and were not solely for pandemic response. The plaintiffs contend that HHS lacks the authority to unilaterally rescind congressionally appropriated funds, thereby undermining the legislative branch’s power.
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Following a forceful takeover by DOGE, the acting president, a former GSA staffer, seeks to transfer USIP’s $500 million headquarters building to the GSA at no cost. This action, supported by high-ranking administration officials, is part of a broader effort to dismantle the agency, according to former USIP officials who have filed a lawsuit to prevent the asset transfer. A court hearing will determine the fate of the building, with a broader ruling on the lawsuit expected soon. The legality of this action and the Trump administration’s involvement are central to the ongoing legal dispute.
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President Trump’s recent address to Congress provided new evidence in an ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During the speech, Trump explicitly stated that Elon Musk heads DOGE, a claim directly used in a new court filing by lawyers representing plaintiffs. This filing emphasizes the need for expedited discovery to clarify Musk’s actual role and DOGE’s structure, particularly in relation to Acting Administrator Amy Gleason. The White House’s conflicting statements regarding Musk’s position, ranging from “overseeing” DOGE to being a “senior advisor,” fuel the ongoing legal battle surrounding the department’s authority and operations.
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LaDonna Crutchfield filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest based on flawed facial recognition technology. Police, using a partial license plate, connected Crutchfield to an attempted murder investigation despite discrepancies in age and height between her and the actual suspect. The lawsuit claims the arresting officers failed to conduct basic investigative steps that could have readily exonerated Crutchfield, leading to her detainment, fingerprinting, and DNA collection. The Detroit Police Department denies using facial recognition but admits insufficient investigation led to the erroneous arrest.
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Contrary to statements by President Trump, court documents reveal Elon Musk holds a non-career Special Government Employee position within the White House, lacking authority to make governmental decisions. This declaration, filed in response to a lawsuit from 14 states, clarifies Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and refutes claims of a “hostile takeover.” While Musk’s involvement with DOGE, tasked with reducing federal spending, remains controversial, a judge expressed skepticism about halting DOGE’s access to sensitive data. The ongoing legal challenge seeks to limit Musk’s influence, amid public protests and divided public opinion regarding his efforts.
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Two lawsuits filed within a week challenge President Trump’s dismissals of Biden-appointed officials. Hampton Dellinger, the former head of the Office of Special Counsel, and Gwynne A. Wilcox, a former National Labor Relations Board employee, allege unlawful termination, citing violations of established removal procedures and a century of legal precedent protecting independent agency officials. Both lawsuits contend that the dismissals were politically motivated and without proper cause. The plaintiffs argue these actions undermine the independence of crucial government agencies and jeopardize their ability to fulfill their statutory mandates.
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Twenty-two state attorneys general are challenging a Trump administration policy that slashes National Institutes of Health funding for indirect research costs to 15%, impacting crucial medical research. This lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts, argues the cuts will severely harm research institutions and impede medical innovation. The policy has drawn bipartisan criticism, with Senator Susan Collins citing the arbitrary nature of the cuts and their potential to halt vital research. Despite legislative prohibitions against the funding modification, the administration is moving forward with the policy, prompting the legal challenge.
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A Florida family’s lawsuit alleges that nitrous oxide manufacturers and retailers are contributing to a national health crisis by exploiting a legal loophole allowing the sale of the gas as a culinary tool, despite its widespread recreational misuse. The suit, filed on behalf of a woman who died from nitrous oxide addiction, accuses companies of marketing the product with appealing flavors to encourage inhalation and distributing it through smoke shops. The lawsuit seeks the immediate removal of nitrous oxide from store shelves and damages for affected families, comparing the situation to past controversies surrounding vaping products. It proposes a class action against both manufacturers and retailers, aiming to address industry-wide practices.
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A New Jersey jury awarded Cheryl Rhines $11.5 million after a state trooper, Jennifer Albuja, mistakenly attributed her stroke symptoms to intoxication, delaying crucial medical treatment. This delay, caused by Albuja’s misjudgment and subsequent actions, resulted in Rhines suffering permanent disability, including global aphasia. The jury found the delayed treatment responsible for 60% of Rhines’s disabilities, leading to the reduced award from an initial $19.1 million. The case highlights concerns about law enforcement’s response to medical emergencies and the potentially devastating consequences of misinterpreting symptoms.
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Following a Justice Department demand, the FBI submitted details on over 5,000 employees involved in January 6th riot investigations, excluding names but including IDs and job titles. This action prompted a lawsuit from several FBI employees alleging constitutional and privacy violations, claiming the data request is retaliatory and intended to intimidate. The request came amidst the firing of eight senior FBI officials and follows the appointment of Elon Musk’s team to the Department of Government Efficiency, raising concerns of a broader purge of personnel involved in Trump-related probes. The FBI Agents Association is urging members not to resign, while top officials are actively defending their teams against the perceived political retribution.
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John Q. Hosedrinker