Fact Check: Federal courts blocked Trump administration initiatives at least 198 times.

Fact Check: "Federal courts blocked Trump administration initiatives at least 198 times."

What We Know

The claim that federal courts blocked Trump administration initiatives at least 198 times is supported by several sources. According to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times, federal courts have indeed blocked the administration's initiatives on numerous occasions, with a specific mention of at least 198 instances. This figure appears to be derived from a broader analysis of legal challenges against the Trump administration's policies.

In contrast, the New York Times reported that as of late March 2025, judges had issued 17 nationwide injunctions against the Trump administration. These injunctions are significant because they prevent the federal government from implementing certain policies across the entire country. The AP News also noted that between the start of the new administration and mid-May 2025, judges issued roughly 40 nationwide injunctions against the White House on various topics, including federal funding and election rules.

Analysis

The claim of "at least 198" blocked initiatives requires careful scrutiny. While the Chicago Sun-Times cites this number, it does not provide a detailed breakdown of how this figure was calculated. The sources that provide more specific numbers, such as the New York Times and AP News, indicate a smaller number of nationwide injunctions (17 and 40, respectively).

The discrepancy suggests that the 198 figure may encompass not only nationwide injunctions but also other types of legal rulings that blocked or challenged Trump administration policies. The Washington Post mentions that there have been over 300 lawsuits against the Trump administration, with federal district judges issuing roughly 50 rulings to date. This indicates a broader context of legal challenges beyond just nationwide injunctions.

The reliability of the sources varies. The New York Times and AP News are reputable news organizations with a history of thorough reporting. In contrast, the Chicago Sun-Times, while credible, does not provide as much detail about the methodology behind the 198 figure. Therefore, while the claim has some basis in fact, the specific number cited may not accurately reflect the nature of the legal challenges faced by the Trump administration.

Conclusion

The claim that federal courts blocked Trump administration initiatives at least 198 times is Partially True. While there is evidence of numerous legal challenges against the administration, the specific figure of 198 likely includes a broader range of legal actions than just nationwide injunctions. The more reliable counts from reputable sources indicate a significantly lower number of nationwide injunctions, suggesting that the claim may overstate the situation.

Fact Check: Federal courts blocked Trump administration initiatives at least 198 times.