Courts block government data access and deportation efforts

Federal courts delivered a setback to the Trump administration on Thursday by blocking two significant initiatives. The first ruling involved the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was stopped from accessing sensitive data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). A judge in Maryland expressed concern that DOGE's actions were like a “fishing expedition” fueled by mere suspicion without evidence of widespread fraud. The judge, Ellen Lipton Hollander, highlighted the wealth of personal information the SSA holds, including Social Security numbers and medical records, emphasizing the potential privacy violations for millions of Americans. The court's order may restrict access not just for DOGE staff, but also for any SSA employees, complicating their work. In a separate case, Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University fellow, had his deportation blocked by a judge. Suri, who is from India and in the U.S. legally, was detained for allegedly spreading propaganda related to Hamas. His lawyer argued that Suri was wrongfully targeted due to his wife's Palestinian identity. The judge's decision to halt his deportation is temporary, leading to a hearing scheduled for May 6. These events raise questions about the Trump administration's relationship with the judiciary. Trump criticized the judges, stating they are overstepping their authority and undermining presidential power. He has suggested that their decisions are dangerous and that they should be removed from their positions. This ongoing tension creates concerns about a potential constitutional crisis, as there are worries that the administration might ignore judicial decisions in the future. Additionally, Trump signed an executive order aimed at closing the Department of Education, intending to return educational authority to the states. While the order seeks to reduce federal influence, it could also lead to significant changes in how education is managed across the country.