Congressman Sam Liccardo Joins House Leadership’s Rapid Response Task Force & Litigation Working Group

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has welcomed Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) to House Democrats’ Rapid Response Task Force & Litigation Working Group. Together with pro-democracy partners, the Task Force will protect and defend everyday Americans from the onslaught of unconstitutional executive actions. 

Congressman Liccardo issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration's first month has been mired in unconstitutional and illegal executive actions, or what I call ‘executive disorders.’ Many of these actions have been taken under the guise of government efficiency, but have wrought the opposite effect, as we witness the  administration scramble to rescind terminations of key former employees responsible for nuclear safety, for example. The tragic consequences will become increasingly painful to millions of Americans,  as indiscriminate cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration will make air travel more perilous, cuts to the Forest Service will make California more vulnerable to wildfires, and layoffs at the IRS will delay refund checks to taxpayers. 

“These actions are reckless and illegal, and many are unconstitutional. Litigation has successfully blocked most of President Trump’s ‘Executive Disorders’ and he and Musk's minions continue flailing and failing. Congress must use all lawful means necessary to protect  the American people and our Constitution. 

“I’m proud to join my colleagues in the Rapid Response Task Force & Litigation Working Group as we continue to stop this unconstitutional assault on our nation.”

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More than 70 cases have been filed, and already, courts have issued 29 injunctions limiting or halting the Trump Administration’s actions – below is a brief overview of major legal developments over the past several days.

• TERMINATION OF U.S. SPECIAL COUNSEL: A federal district court judge has blocked the removal of the U.S. Special Counsel, and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling. The Trump Administration has requested the Supreme Court overrule the court’s initial ruling (which is pending).

• DOGE AUTHORITY: On Feb. 13th, two separate cases were filed that argue the establishment of DOGE and Elon Musk’s role in the agency absent Senate confirmation violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. A hearing for one of the cases was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 17th and an order is anticipated shortly.

• CFPB CLOSURE: On Friday, Feb. 14th, a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration may not delete, destroy, remove, or impair the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) records nor terminate any employees other than for cause. The court will hold their next hearing on March 3rd to consider the union's request for a preliminary injunction. 

   

• USAID EMPLOYEES: On Thursday, Feb. 13th, a Trump-appointed federal judge extended an order to block the Trump Administration’s efforts to place thousands of USAID employees on leave. The temporary restraining order is in place until Feb. 21st. 

• FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BUYOUT: On Feb. 12th, a federal district court judge in Massachusetts lifted a temporary restraining order and denied further relief against the destructive “Fork in the Road” offer for government employees to resign (on the basis of lack of standing). 

• MASS CIVIL SERVANT TERMINATIONS: On Saturday, Feb. 15th, a class action lawsuit was filed against nine agencies over the Trump Administration’s termination of thousands of probationary Federal employees. 

• INSPECTORS GENERAL TERMINATION: On Feb. 12th, eight Inspectors General (IGs) filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for their removal. A federal judge has denied a temporary restraining order, and the case will proceed on a less expedited timeline.