Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has unleashed over 80 executive orders, sparking a legal firestorm with more than 100 lawsuits challenging his policies. But while the administration pushes forward, a group of Obama- and Biden-appointed judges is standing in the way—blocking, halting, and striking down key initiatives.
The White House isn’t holding back. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted these rulings, calling them unconstitutional attempts to “usurp” executive power. “You cannot have a low-level district court judge filing an injunction to override the President of the United States,” she said.
Here’s a look at the judges taking direct aim at Trump’s second-term agenda:
James Boasberg – The Judge Who Blocked Trump’s Deportation Flights
Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court, James Boasberg has been a thorn in Trump’s side since his first term. This month, he halted the administration’s attempt to deport migrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—but his ruling came after deportation flights had already taken off. The White House called his move “legally baseless.”
Leo Sorokin – The Judge Who Stopped Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban
A Massachusetts judge appointed by Obama, Sorokin is known for his liberal sentencing reforms. He recently blocked Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship, joining other judges in issuing a nationwide injunction. The Trump administration has since taken the case to the Supreme Court.
Amir Ali – The Biden-Appointed Judge Who Froze Trump’s $2 Billion Spending Cut
A fresh Biden appointee, Ali ruled that Trump “likely exceeded his constitutional authority” when the administration attempted to freeze $2 billion in USAID payments. His ties to criminal justice reform and progressive legal groups have drawn scrutiny from conservatives.
Beryl Howell – The Judge Who Reinstated a Fired Biden Official
Obama-appointed Judge Beryl Howell ruled that Trump had no authority to fire National Labor Relations Board chair Gwynne Wilcox, reinstating her to her position. In her ruling, she took a direct shot at Trump, saying a president who sees himself as a “king” or “dictator” is misunderstanding the Constitution.
Ana Reyes – The Judge Weighing Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
A Biden-appointed judge overseeing a case brought by LGBTQ activists, Reyes is expected to rule by March 25 on whether to pause Trump’s executive order barring transgender individuals from serving in the military.
Loren AliKhan – The Judge Who Blocked Trump’s Federal Spending Freeze
Another Biden appointee, AliKhan struck down the administration’s effort to freeze federal grants and loans, calling the move “ill-conceived” and “irrational.”
As legal battles mount, Trump’s White House has vowed to fight back against judicial activists and take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court. The question remains: Will Trump’s agenda survive the courtroom war?
