Washington state's legal blitz during Trump's second term
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Washington Attorney General Nick Brown speaks to media in February. Photo: Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images
Since President Trump began his second term in January, Washington state has led or joined more than 20 lawsuits aimed at blocking his administration's policies.
Why it matters: The Evergreen State is once again at the forefront of the blue state resistance to Trump, with state Attorney General Nick Brown suing to stop Trump's orders on birthright citizenship, gender-affirming care and more.
By the numbers: Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, Brown has spearheaded or co-led nine legal complaints against the administration and joined 12 other multistate lawsuits, for a total of 21 cases.
Here's a rundown of those legal challenges.
Gun trigger devices
Brown and 15 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit June 9 to try to stop the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from returning forced reset triggers that it had previously seized from gun sellers and owners.
- The devices, they states argue, illegally convert firearms into machine guns.
National Science Foundation cuts
On May 28, Washington joined 15 other states in trying to block cuts to National Science Foundation funding, including for programs that try to increase the number of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in scientific fields.
Funding for sanctuary jurisdictions
On May 14, Washington and 19 other states filed two separate lawsuits over the Trump administration's threats to withhold federal funding from states that do not assist with federal immigration enforcement.
- One lawsuit is against the U.S. Department of Transportation. Another focuses on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Homeland Security.
"Energy emergency" challenge
Washington and 14 other states filed a lawsuit May 9 challenging President Trump's declaration of a "national energy emergency," which they say the administration has used to illegally bypass important environmental reviews on energy projects.
Birthright citizenship
The day after Trump's swearing-in, Washington sued over the president's order to end birthright citizenship.
- A federal judge in Seattle temporarily blocked Trump's order from taking effect, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Additional court rulings have put it on hold indefinitely.
Challenging Elon Musk
In February, Washington joined a 14-state lawsuit that alleged Trump had granted "virtually unchecked authority" to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in violation of the Constitution.
- Trump announced last year that Musk would lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team along with Vivek Ramaswamy, who stepped down in January.
- Musk confirmed he was leaving the Trump administration in May and has since feuded publicly with the president on social media.
Federal funding freeze
Washington is part of a coalition of 22 states seeking to block the Trump administration from withholding billions of dollars in federal assistance.
Flashback: A Jan. 27 memo announcing the funding freeze caused confusion at government agencies and nonprofits.
Medical research cuts
Washington is among 22 states suing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the agency's new policy cutting what it will pay for the "indirect cost" of medical research, which can include things like maintaining buildings and lab space.
- A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction in March blocking the new policy from taking effect while the case proceeds.
NIH grants
In a separate lawsuit filed in April, Brown and 15 other states sued the Trump administration over delays in reviewing NIH grant applications, as well as cuts to grants that were previously approved.
Gender-affirming care
Washington is leading a multistate lawsuit challenging Trump's attempt to cut funding to hospitals and other institutions that provide gender-affirming care to young people.
- In February, a federal judge in Seattle granted a preliminary injunction halting Trump's executive order for now. A Maryland judge made a similar ruling in a different case in March.
Federal firings
In March, Brown joined a multistate lawsuit claiming the Trump administration's firing of federal employees "en masse" is illegal.
- Judges in that case and a separate case filed in Maryland later ordered the reinstatement of thousands of federal employees, but the lawsuits are ongoing.
Department of Education cuts
Washington is among more than 20 states suing over the Trump administration's plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
Public health cuts
On April 1, Washington joined a coalition of two dozen states in suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "for abruptly and illegally terminating $11 billion in critical public health grants to the states," according to a news release.
Dismantling HHS
In another lawsuit filed May 5, Washington and several other U.S. states challenged the Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, calling the reductions "unconstitutional and illegal."
Election integrity
Washington and Oregon filed a joint lawsuit in April challenging Trump's executive order on elections.
- The president's order aims to prevent states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day and includes a new proof of citizenship requirement.
K-12 school funding
Brown and 18 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit over the U.S. Department of Education's threat to withhold funding from state and local agencies that continue to support diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Dismantling AmeriCorps
Washington is part of a multistate lawsuit challenging President Trump's cuts to AmeriCorps, the nationwide volunteer agency.
Protecting libraries
Washington is one of 21 states suing the Trump administration over cuts to three agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS).
- That agency provides millions in grant funding for libraries and reading programs, the lawsuit says.
Wind energy
Washington and more than a dozen other states are suing over the Trump administration's efforts to halt wind energy projects.
Electric vehicles
Washington is co-leading a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's termination of grant funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, Brown's office announced May 7.