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Law of the West

COMMENTARY: Trump Budget Would Place the Things That Make America Great Under Devastating Siege

President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal would severely reduce funding for the National Park Service, NASA, EPA, NIH, CDC, and other key agencies, threatening the future of American science, environmental protection, and public health.

Melting Time: Science, Storytelling, and the Scale of Crisis in Paul Bierman’s “When the Ice Is Gone”

This long-form review of Paul Bierman’s When the Ice Is Gone explores how Greenland’s past melt events reveal climate risks today—and what the book does and does not tell us about the path forward.

Trump’s Attempted Firing of CPB Board Members Triggers Legal Fight Over Independent Agency Protections

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has filed a federal lawsuit after President Trump removed three of its board members. The suit argues the dismissals defy statutory limits and raise serious questions about executive authority over independent agencies.

Oregon Judges Reinforce Northwest Forest Plan, Blocking BLM Timber Projects

Federal judges in Oregon recently halted two BLM timber projects, reaffirming that agencies must fully comply with the Northwest Forest Plan’s environmental safeguards. The rulings come as the U.S. Forest Service proposes major amendments to the Plan, raising new debates about the future of old-growth forests and adaptive management strategies.

Twelve States Sue Trump Administration Over Tariffs, Citing Constitutional Violations and Economic Harm

Twelve states, led by Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado, have filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade, claiming that President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs are unconstitutional and economically damaging.

Ninth Circuit Rejects Federal Government’s Bid to Halt Lower Court Order Protecting TPS Beneficiaries

The Ninth Circuit denied a federal motion to halt a district court injunction preserving Temporary Protected Status for thousands of migrants. The ruling keeps in place legal protections challenged by the Trump administration and raises key questions about executive authority over immigration policy.

California Sues Trump Administration Over 2025 Tariffs, Citing Economic Harm and Executive Overreach

California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging 2025 tariffs imposed through executive orders. Officials argue the duties harm jobs, consumers, and violate trade law.