U.S.
Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Against OPM Essay Question on Trump Executive Orders in Civil Service Job Listings
U.S. District Judge George A. O'Toole Jr. in Boston ruled on Sept. 11, 2026 that the required essay prompt likely violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, while declining to block the use of answers already submitted.
D.C. Circuit Vacates Energy Department Emergency Order That Kept Michigan's Campbell Coal Plant Running
A three-judge panel ruled unanimously on September 11, 2026 that the Energy Department stretched its Federal Power Act emergency power beyond what the statute allows; the department says the orders prevented blackouts and is weighing an appeal.
Federal Judge Rules DHS Unlawfully Directed a 50% Cut to FEMA's Staffing Plan; Remedy Ruling Due Next Month
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston found the Department of Homeland Security took over staffing decisions Congress gave FEMA, and said she will decide what relief to order in a separate ruling.
D.C. Circuit Denies Stay of DOJ Order Moving Medical and FDA-Approved Marijuana to Schedule III
A three-judge panel ruled on September 9, 2026 that challengers had not met the legal test for a stay, so the April 28 order stays in effect while the underlying case continues.
Justice Department Sues Hawaii, Arkansas, Utah and D.C. Over In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students, Bringing Total Jurisdictions Sued to 25
The four complaints, filed September 10, argue the tuition policies are preempted by a 1996 federal law; Arkansas's attorney general said he agrees with the Justice Department, while the other three jurisdictions have not conceded.
Trump Meets Irish President Connolly and Taoiseach Martin in Dublin, Then Travels to His Doonbeg Resort for the Irish Open
The Sept. 12-13 visit pairs official talks in Phoenix Park with a stop at a golf tournament held at a course the president owns, as protest marches and a large state security operation go ahead.
Trump Pledges $5,000 Payments to Adult Citizens If Republicans Hold Congress; Budget Group Puts Cost Above $1.2 Trillion
At the RNC's midterm convention in Dallas on Sept. 9, 2026, Trump said he would issue a $5,000 "dividend" to every adult U.S. citizen if the GOP keeps the House and Senate; he gave no funding or legal mechanism, and Republicans including Rep. Chip Roy objected on cost and on principle.
U.S. Officials Say Trump Declined Saudi Request for Strikes on Houthis, Offered Intelligence and Targeting Data
Axios and CNN report that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked for U.S. strikes after Houthi forces took Yemen's port of Mokha on Sept. 10; the White House has not confirmed the calls.
Federal Judge Rules Two Immigration Law Provisions Cannot Be Used Against Noncitizens' Protected Speech
U.S. District Judge Noël Wise issued a 90-page declaratory judgment on Aug. 28, 2026, in a suit brought by The Stanford Daily and an anonymous student visa holder; the government has not said whether it will appeal.
White House Says $500 Checks Will Go to Nearly 1 Million ACA Enrollees in 30 States Starting in October
President Trump announced the payments in a recorded Oval Office address on September 10, 2026, describing them as refunds of Affordable Care Act exchange "user fees"; the administration has not released its calculations, and Democrats and some health-policy analysts dispute that enrollees were overcharged.
Georgia Guard Member Charged With Two Felonies After Allegedly Drawing Gun on Fellow Soldier in D.C.
Police say Zion Mitchell, 21, pointed a loaded pistol at another guardsman during an Aug. 25 argument over hairstyle rules; he faces assault and firearm charges and is being held in the D.C. Jail.