Fact Check: California is suing the Trump administration at a rate of more than one lawsuit a week over issues including immigration, federal funding, and tariffs.
What We Know
California has indeed been active in filing lawsuits against the Trump administration on various issues, including tariffs, immigration, and federal funding. For instance, on April 16, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit challenging President Trump's authority to impose sweeping tariffs on imports, which the state argues is unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) (AP News). This lawsuit is part of a broader trend where California has frequently taken legal action against federal policies perceived as harmful to the state.
In the past few years, California has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration, with reports indicating that the state has averaged more than one lawsuit per week during certain periods (Reuters). This includes cases related to immigration enforcement policies and federal funding conditions that the state argues are unconstitutional or exceed federal authority (Los Angeles Times).
Analysis
The claim that California is suing the Trump administration at a rate of more than one lawsuit a week is supported by evidence of the state's aggressive legal strategy against various federal policies. The lawsuits encompass a range of issues, including immigration, tariffs, and federal funding, which aligns with the claim made.
However, while the frequency of lawsuits is notable, it is essential to consider the context and the nature of these lawsuits. Many of them are part of ongoing legal battles that reflect the state's opposition to federal policies rather than a continuous stream of new lawsuits. For example, the lawsuit regarding tariffs filed in April 2025 was one of several actions taken against the Trump administration's trade policies (California Governor's Office).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this issue varies. Major news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters are generally considered credible and provide thorough coverage of legal actions taken by California. However, the interpretation of the frequency and impact of these lawsuits can differ based on the political leanings of the reporting outlet.
In summary, while the claim holds merit regarding the volume of lawsuits, it is crucial to recognize that not all lawsuits are new or unique; many are continuations of previous legal challenges.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that California is suing the Trump administration at a rate of more than one lawsuit a week is partially true. The state has indeed filed numerous lawsuits against the administration on various issues, including tariffs, immigration, and federal funding. However, the characterization of "more than one lawsuit a week" may not accurately reflect the ongoing nature of many of these legal challenges, as some are continuations rather than entirely new cases.
Sources
- Governor Newsom files lawsuit to end President Trump's tariffs
- Case 3:25-cv-03372 Document 1 Filed 04/16/25 Page 1 of 23
- California sues Trump administration to block tariffs | Reuters
- Newsom says California will sue to block Trump's sweeping tariffs | AP News
- Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump's Agenda
- California tariffs lawsuit against Trump dismissed — at its request
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