United States: On Thursday the Democratic-led governments of four American states will ask Judge John Coughenour in their Seattle courthouse to stop the Trump administration from putting his executive order into practice. 

Multiple Lawsuits Challenge Constitutionality 

On the first day of his presidency the Republican leader implemented an executive order that is now facing multiple lawsuits from civil rights groups and Democratic attorneys general from 22 states who assert it breaches the U.S. Constitution, as reported by Reuters. 

Senior Judge John Coughenour in Seattle will review arguments made by state attorneys general from Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon as they seek to stop the Trump administration from implementing its immigration stance. 

The lawsuit’s logic rests on the 14th Amendment citizenship clause that says anyone born in the USA gains automatic citizenship. 

The Democratic-led states predict 150,000 babies born to non-citizen parents will no longer receive American citizenship under Trump’s current policy. 

Throughout U.S. history Democratic state attorneys general have insisted that the Supreme Court confirmed in 1898 children born in America receive automatic citizenship. 

Historical and Legal Context 

Following the Civil War the 14th Amendment came into effect in 1868 to reverse the Supreme Court’s 1857 Dred Scott decision that had denied Black slaves freedom under US law. 

According to DOJ, previous Supreme Court decisions in 1898 stated that the 14th Amendment did not provide general birthright citizenship rights to all U.S. babies. Wong Kim Ark focused on children who maintained residency status with their parents. 

According to the Justice Department the state lawsuit fails both basic access requirements. The department explained that individuals hold the sole authority to invoke the citizenship clause while states lack proper privileges to defend against Trump’s executive order. 

A group of Trump Republican supporters in the U.S. House brought forward separate legislation on Tuesday to limit automatic citizenship to U.S. and permanent resident parent’s children only. 

Through his executive order Trump required U.S. agencies to deny birthright citizenship to U.S. babies unless their parents hold citizenship or permanent residency. 

The U.S. Department of Justice declares the current policy as essential to supporting President Trump’s initiatives to fix immigration issues and control southern border immigration. 

Rapid Legal Proceedings in Seattle 

The legal proceedings in Seattle have advanced rapidly compared to other federal court cases against this decree. The court case has been assigned to Judge Coughenour who upheld this responsibility during former President Reagan’s time in office, as reported by Reuters. 

After hearing legal arguments the judge has two options: render a verdict straightaway or wait to deliver a written ruling before the order starts. 

United States: The Trump administration has fired the first female uniformed leader of a separate armed forces branch, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday, as reported by Reuters.

Joe Biden announced Fagan as his selection to lead the Coast Guard in 2021. The Coast Guard protects maritime security for America. History made her as the very first military branch head in the United States who was also a female lead.

Reasons for Removal Spark Debate

In a message posted on the Coast Guard’s website, a spokeswoman from Democratically-appointed Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman confirmed Fagan had been relieved of her duties after a long and illustrious career.’

A senior Department of Homeland Security official said Huffman had turned Fagan out for ‘leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard.’

An official who gave the words on condition of anonymity said one reason was Fagan’s ‘excessive’ attention to DEI policies.

It’s too early for Fagan or the Coast Guard to comment.

For his part, Trump has pledged to scrupulously wipe out DEI programs within federal government agencies. The programs were supposed to be about increasing diversity in the armed forces to more accurately match the population they serve to protect.

The Coast Guard is considered an armed service but part of Homeland Security, not the Pentagon.

Criticism from Lawmakers

It was a ‘misguided decision going to hurt readiness,’ said Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen.

𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬
According to Fox News, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Lee Fagan has been terminated after concerns about border security, recruitment and an erosion of trust within the organization. The acting Secretary of… pic.twitter.com/LuewPu9L7f

— BreakingRecap (@BreakingRecap) January 22, 2025

Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen called the decision to remove Fagan ‘misguided, and it will hurt readiness.’

“The women and men of the U.S. Coast Guard deserve better than reckless personnel decisions,” Larsen said.

Coast Guard Under Scrutiny

Since a media report last year alleged the Coast Guard covered up decades of abuse, the service has come under fire for sexual assault, including a Senate subcommittee that found it shamed victims and didn’t discipline perps.

The Trump administration has fired US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of an armed forces branchhttps://t.co/ro9T4L0vVo

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) January 22, 2025

Last year, more than a dozen current and former U.S. Coast Guard Academy students, victims of sexual assault, filed complaints seeking $130 million in damages, saying the school allowed sexual violence to fester.

Awaiting Official Comments

Trump adviser and campaign chairman Elon Musk, who is leading the new administration’s bid to have the government spend less, tweeted of efforts to invest in diversity in a social media post without confirming Fagan’s firing, as reported by Reuters.

The Trump administration has fired U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, the first female uniformed leader of an armed forces branch, a U.S. official told Reuters Tuesday. https://t.co/H7ezxSYicL

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 22, 2025

“Undermining the U.S. military and border security to spend money on racist/sexist DEI nonsense is no longer acceptable,” Musk, the world’s richest man, wrote on X.

United States: In a dramatic move executed shortly after midnight on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced the termination of four prominent presidential appointees via Truth Social. Among those dismissed were Brian Hook, a notable Iran envoy during Trump’s inaugural term, and retired General Mark Milley, whom Trump initially selected as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2018. 

Trump’s post specified the removal of Hook from his role at the Wilson Center, Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, celebrity chef and philanthropist José Andrés from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and Keisha Lance Bottoms, former mayor of Atlanta, from her position on the President’s Export Council. 

“Our initial hours back in the White House are far from over! The Presidential Personnel Office is meticulously working to identify and oust over a thousand appointees from the prior administration whose ideologies do not align with our mission to restore greatness to America,” Trump declared on Truth Social in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to The Hill. 

He concluded his post with a definitive pronouncement, “Consider this an official dismissal notice for these four individuals, with numerous others to follow. YOU’RE FIRED!” 

Milley, who had served as the Joint Chiefs chair, was granted a preventive pardon by former President Joe Biden in the waning moments of his presidency. Milley has openly rebuked Trump in the past, prompting the former president to suggest that he should face a court-martial and potential execution. Notably, Milley’s portrait, which was recently displayed in the Joint Chiefs hallway at the Pentagon, was removed Monday, just weeks after its unveiling. 

Brian Hook, a key figure under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trump’s initial term, had been a staunch advocate of the stringent sanctions imposed on Iran during that period. 

Keisha Lance Bottoms had transitioned to a senior advisory role for Biden’s reelection campaign following her decision not to seek a second term as Atlanta’s mayor, as reported by The Hill. 

José Andrés, celebrated for founding the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen, has previously voiced skepticism about Trump’s ability to implement his aggressive deportation policies. Speculation suggests Andrés may be contemplating a foray into politics himself. The renowned chef revealed that he had tendered his resignation from the council the prior week, emphasizing that his term had already reached its conclusion. Andrés expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, stating, “I was honored to co-chair this council and urge the president to permit its ongoing work.” 

In a post shared on X on Tuesday morning, Andrés reflected on his contributions, “I take pride in our achievements on behalf of the American populace, including an unprecedented collaboration between the White House and major sports leagues to enhance children’s access to sports and health initiatives.” 

He continued with a direct plea: “I hope @realdonaldtrump leverages his presidential authority to ensure the Council’s continued advocacy for nationwide fitness and wellness. These are not partisan matters—they are universal issues,” according to the reports by The Hill. 

Andrés concluded his remarks with a poignant appeal, “May divine wisdom guide you,  President, to transcend political bickering and derogatory rhetoric. Instead, let us elevate the tireless efforts of ordinary citizens striving to unite this nation. Let’s build longer tables, not higher walls.” 

In addition to these personnel changes, Trump signed a cascade of executive orders on Monday, including one mandating the return of federal employees to in-office work five days a week.