Trump faces legal battles over deportations, Pardons, EPA cuts

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, March 18th, 2025

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The Trump administration faced mounting legal scrutiny on Monday as a Justice Department lawyer refused to provide details on the deportation of over 200 migrants to El Salvador, citing national security concerns. A federal judge has ordered the government to clarify whether these deportations violated a court order by noon Tuesday.
Meanwhile, President Trump questioned the legitimacy of pardons issued by former President Joe Biden, though legal experts argue there is no constitutional basis to reverse them. He later suggested the matter would be settled in court.
In Washington, tensions escalated as law enforcement officers, acting on Trump’s directive, forcibly removed officials from the U.S. Institute of Peace, a congressionally chartered nonprofit that the administration seeks to dismantle. Critics argue Trump lacks the authority to dissolve the institute.
Additionally, Trump moved to appoint political allies, including Michael Flynn and Walt Nauta, to military academy oversight boards. Nauta, previously charged with aiding Trump in obstructing document retrieval efforts, was appointed to the Naval Academy’s board.
In another controversial move, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a sweeping workforce reduction, planning to eliminate its scientific research division. Documents reveal up to 1,155 scientists may be dismissed as part of the administration’s effort to cut 65% of the EPA’s budget, potentially hindering environmental programs.
A separate federal court ruling in California found agencies failing to comply with a preliminary injunction regarding reinstated probationary employees. The judge demanded a report on affected employees by Tuesday.
These developments mark a deepening clash between Trump’s policies and the judiciary, raising constitutional and governance concerns.