May 24, 2025

How Love Wins This Week (May 24, 2025)

Hard Wins: Cases won, orders issued, legislation passed, etc.

• A federal judge ruled the Trump administration has no authority to dismantle the US Institute of Peace: Judge bars Trump administration from shutting peace institute that sought to end violent conflicts [AP]
  • See also: DOGE Loses Battle to Take Over USIP—and Its $500 Million Headquarters [Wired]
• Judge blocks Trump’s orders to dismantle the Education Department and fire employees [AP]
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from barring foreign student enrollment at Harvard [AP]
  • A fun explainer from Jay Kuo: Not So Fast, Kristi Noem [The Status Kuo]
• In a totally separate action, Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Revoking Student Visas [New York Times]
• In a dispute over public health funding destined for state programs, Trump administration again blocked from cutting billions in federal health money [AP]
• Montana Judge Enjoins Bathroom Ban: “No Evidence” The Ban Prevents Violence [Erin in the Morning]
• A judge scolded federal prosecutors and announced he will dismiss trespassing charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka related to a standoff at a migrant detention center: Judge dismisses Baraka charges, reprimands prosecutors [New Jersey Globe]
  • Absolute highlight of the article in the last paragraph: The reprimands did not go unnoticed. Baraka, on a hot mic after the hearing’s conclusion, reacted: “Jesus, he tore these people a new asshole. Good grief.”
• Meanwhile in Europe: Lesbian mothers win legal status in Italy IVF ruling [CNN]
• And a great profile of the winner of Romania's presidential election: Who is Nicusor Dan, the pro-EU centrist who beat a nationalist in Romania’s tense presidential race? [AP]

Soft Wins: Cases filed, legislation introduced, etc.

• I'm not sure where to put this so just sticking it here: Why It’s Okay That The Nottoway Plantation Burnt Down [Under the Desk News]

Fighting the Good Fight: Protests, unofficial actions, and inspiration

• The Trevor Project is currently collecting responses to their national survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people in the United States. If you are 13-24, in the US, and LGBTQ+, take the survey here.
• Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream Ben Cohen was arrested and dragged out of a Senate hearing after protesting the war in Gaza during Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s testimony. Shine your light, ice cream man!
• Volunteers from the Amish community have made a huge difference in North Carolina's ongoing disaster recovery efforts: 'We still see tremendous damage' | Amish community becomes part of Chimney Rock's comeback story [WCNC Charlotte]
• For a little historical reflection on the difference one person can make: Today in History: May 21, Clara Barton founds American Red Cross [AP]
• Or hey, you don't have to start a whole movement, you can just do something meaningful to you -- like this guy: An Oregon man who quit his job to set sail with his cat arrives to cheering fans in Hawaii [AP]

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