Last summer, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision that curtailed federal judges' ability to issue sweeping nationwide injunctions blocking enforcement of policies from the Trump administration. This practice had frustrated both the Trump and Biden administrations, with the Justice Department under Biden requesting the Court to review the legality of such broad orders.

The Supreme Court in Trump v. CASA found that nationwide injunctions likely exceeded the authority granted to federal courts by Congress. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, dissenting, warned the decision "renders constitutional guarantees meaningful in name only for any individuals who are not parties to a lawsuit," while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson described the ruling as an "existential threat to the rule of law."

In response, groups challenging Trump-era policies have increasingly relied on class-action lawsuits as a viable and effective alternative to achieve broad relief similar to what nationwide injunctions provided. These class actions were initiated mere hours after the Court's June 2025 decision. However, advocates note that navigating the post-CASA legal landscape is challenging, requiring more resources and risking inconsistent treatment across the country. Lupe Aguirre, deputy director of U.S. litigation for the International Refugee Assistance Project, said, "It takes more resources from plaintiffs' side... and it definitely does risk inconsistent treatment nationwide."

Matt Platkin, former New Jersey attorney general representing plaintiffs against Trump administration policies, remarked, "The administration or others can be frustrated with what courts are doing, but if it were me, I'd take a step back and say, 'Why am I routinely violating basic administrative procedures? Why am I routinely acting arbitrarily and capriciously? Why am I routinely violating constitutional and statutory law?'"

Additionally, the Supreme Court ruled last year that challenges to the Trump administration's cancellation of millions in federal education grants must be brought in the Court of Federal Claims, further shaping the legal avenues available.

The evolving legal environment reflects a complex landscape with multiple moving parts as groups adapt to the limitations imposed on nationwide injunctions.

Sources