Connecticut and different Democratic-led states filed a unprecedented variety of lawsuits in opposition to the federal authorities in 2025, difficu
Connecticut and different Democratic-led states filed a unprecedented variety of lawsuits in opposition to the federal authorities in 2025, difficult the administration’s actions and combating for quite a lot of causes from clear air and ingesting water to transgender rights to opposing the weaponization of the Division of Justice.
As of Dec. 1, 2025, Legal professional Common William Tong joined 39 lawsuits in opposition to the federal administration within the first 9 months of President Donald Trump’s second time period — a tempo of authorized challenges that Tong mentioned was unprecedented.
Tong mentioned that the administration is attempting to intimidate and immediate anticipatory compliance among the many states, and that the lawsuits are essential to defend Connecticut residents and counter energy grabs by the chief department.
“We didn’t got down to say, ‘We’re going to sue him day by day so we are able to stand up to 35 by October,’” Tong mentioned in an interview. “We’re compelled to sue as a result of there have been at the very least 35 — however many extra — offenses to the Structure, to our rule of legislation and the guardrails. All of this stuff have been so threatened in such a profound means that we’ve needed to act.”
The lawsuits by Connecticut and different states are a part of a battle over federalism and political energy, difficult the capability of the chief department to vary legal guidelines and funding choices made by Congress and disputing the attain of the federal authorities’s authority over states and their residents.
The lawsuits run the gamut by way of present political battles together with public well being, the atmosphere, immigration, range packages, transgender rights and extra.
The primary lawsuit challenged the president’s govt order eliminating birthright citizenship, signed on Trump’s first day in workplace. Different lawsuits have challenged the dismantling of the Division of Schooling or the tariffs on international items levied by the president. An excellent portion of the instances concern the withholding of funds already allotted to states or altering the circumstances below which states can obtain that funding.
To Tong and different coalition members, these lawsuits symbolize a response to a authorities violating the Structure and the rules of federalism and the rule of legislation. On the coronary heart of the lawsuits is the battle for the rights and sovereignty of the state of Connecticut in opposition to federal overreach, in addition to the separation of powers.
“Federalism is the important precept of our nation,” Tong mentioned. “It’s form of the place all of it begins.”
Within the lawsuits over federal funding, Tong mentioned the chief department is usurping the powers of Congress by revoking cash already appropriated or looking for so as to add restrictions not included by lawmakers. This has included the focusing on of DEI packages.
“To say, ‘we’re not going to present you cash except you do what (you’re) advised with respect to integration or range, fairness, inclusion, belonging is simply absurd,” Tong mentioned.
The president will not be a monarch, and his energy will not be absolute, Tong mentioned.
“It’s not summary or conceptual that we have now no kings and we don’t bend the knee,” Tong mentioned.
Vincent Candelora, the state legislature’s Republican Home minority chief, mentioned he believes Tong is appearing in good religion, however he questioned whether or not the instances will likely be profitable and definitely worth the cash being spent on them.
“I believe he’s making an attempt to do what’s good,” Candelora mentioned. “So, whereas the lawsuits on their face aren’t frivolous and aren’t with out benefit, it simply may include a price that isn’t definitely worth the profit.”
Candelora mentioned he believes that the legal professional normal’s focus may very well be put towards different, extra urgent points.
“I believe that there are sources which might be put to these federal instances, and on the identical time, you recognize, he’s right here to defend and symbolize the state of Connecticut,” Candelora mentioned. “Are these sources being unfold too skinny? And are we shedding observe of what must be accomplished on the native stage, on the state stage?”
Ben Proto, chairman of the Connecticut GOP, mentioned he thinks that the character of a lot of the lawsuits, which typically demand funding beforehand allotted by Congress, go in opposition to the concept of federalism.
“(Tong) both desires to guard the state from federal overreach, or he desires the federal authorities offering issues to the state,” Proto mentioned.
Proto mentioned he believes Tong’s lawsuits are political. He factors to the truth that Tong’s workplace has not filed any of the lawsuits, solely joined on instances already introduced by different states.
“If he really thought that a few of these issues ought to have been introduced as actions, he would convey them to the Connecticut federal courtroom on behalf of the state of Connecticut and never be a tagalong,” Proto mentioned.
Roberto Alves, the chairman of the Connecticut Democratic social gathering, mentioned the social gathering helps Tong’s actions.
“If we surrender, they win,” Alves mentioned. “I believe the legal professional normal is doing every little thing he has to do.”
As president of the Nationwide Affiliation of Attorneys Common, Tong mentioned he feels a particular accountability to convey these instances to be an instance for different attorneys normal — even when Republican colleagues within the affiliation don’t agree with him.
Tong has additionally weighed in on different instances in opposition to the administration by becoming a member of state coalitions in submitting amicus briefs, or “good friend of the courtroom” briefs, in assist of instances introduced by nonprofit and advocacy teams.
For instance in November, Tong joined 18 different states in submitting an amicus transient within the case Make the Street New York v. Noem, a lawsuit introduced by the nonprofit group over the Trump administration’s expedited deportation practices.
Tong’s actions are on observe with different states of comparable dimension and political leanings. Massachusetts, as an illustration, joined 40 instances as of Oct. 29, 2025 in keeping with the Workplace of the Massachusetts Legal professional Common.
Although solidly crimson states have not been a part of the states’ lawsuits, some “purple” states which might be extra Republican than Connecticut have joined. Kentucky, as an illustration, is a celebration in six of the state lawsuits that Connecticut has joined. Arizona has signed onto 5 of the lawsuits.
Chronological Index of lawsuits
- —Birthright Citizenship
- —Federal Funding Freeze to States
- —DOGE’s Access to Treasury Systems
- —NIH and HHS Funding for Medical Research
- —Power Given to Musk
- —Mass Firings of Federal Probationary Employees
- —Dismantling Education Department
- —HHS Cuts $11 Billion in Public Health Grants to States
- —Voting Rights and Elections Restrictions
- —Attack on Museums, Libraries & Workers
- —Stopping Tariffs
- —K‑12 Funding Conditions
- —Dismantling of AmeriCorps
- —Halting Wind Energy
- —Dismantling HHS
- —Big Oil and Energy Emergency
- —Immigration Conditions Placed on Funding DHS
- —Immigration Conditions Placed on Funding DOT
- —Protecting Science and Research Programs
- —Federal Funding for States
- —Mental Health Funding Cuts in K‑12
- —Sharing Health Information With ICE
- —Freezing of $6.8 Billion in Education Funding
- —Cutting Disaster Funding
- —1.8 Million People Losing Health Insurance
- —Federal Restrictions on Benefits
- —USDA Demands SNAP Recipient Information
- —Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood
- —Gender Affirming Care
- —DOE Funding Cap for State Energy Programs
- —Conditions on Victims of Crime Grants
- —Revolution Wind Stop Work Order
- —Conditions on Sex Ed Funding
- —Homeland Security Funding Cuts
- —Second Lawsuit Against DOJ for Crime Survivors
- —Suspending SNAP Benefits
- —Public Service Loan Forgiveness Restrictions
- —Changes in HUD Grants
- —SNAP Immigration Eligibility Changes
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This story was produced as a part of the UConn Journalism venture, “The Stability of Energy.” Learn/watch extra at https://digitaljournalism.uconn.edu/balance-of-power
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