Wait, didn’t the lawsuits stop? That’s the big question people are typing into search engines this week. If you’ve been following the news, you might think the legal battles involving Donald Trump ended once he stepped back into the Oval Office. Honestly, it's the opposite.
The courtroom drama didn't vanish; it just changed its outfit. Instead of personal criminal trials, we're seeing a massive wave of multistate litigation. Blue states and even a few purple ones are banding together to block executive orders faster than you can keep track of them.
How Many States Are Suing Trump Right Now?
As of mid-January 2026, the count is actually pretty staggering. If we’re talking about the big "coalition" lawsuits—the ones where a group of Attorneys General join forces—there are currently 24 separate multistate lawsuits active against the Trump administration.
It's not just one or two rogue states. We are talking about a massive legal wall involving roughly 20 to 23 states in the most aggressive cases. Leading the charge are the usual suspects: New York, California, and Washington. But they aren't alone. You’ve got states like Illinois, Massachusetts, and even Arizona joining in on specific issues like trade and healthcare.
The Heavy Hitters: Who is in the Coalition?
When you see a headline about "states suing," it’s almost always a "Blue State" alliance. The core group typically includes:
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- The Leaders: California (Attorney General Rob Bonta) and New York (Attorney General Letitia James).
- The West Coast Crew: Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii.
- The Northeast Block: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- The Midwestern Muscle: Illinois and Minnesota.
The "Gender Policy" Showdown: 12 States Jump In
Just yesterday, January 13, 2026, a new major lawsuit hit the dockets. Twelve states sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Why? Because the administration started conditioning federal funds on whether states follow a new "two-gender" policy.
California's Rob Bonta basically called it a "malicious target" on the LGBTQ+ community. The states argue that HHS can't just flip the script on Title IX without Congress. This isn't just about social issues; it's about billions of dollars in healthcare and education funding that the federal government is threatening to pull.
Why Tariffs Are Landing Trump in Court
Then there’s the money. Back in April 2025, the President announced sweeping global tariffs. Small businesses were worried, but the states are the ones with the lawyers to actually fight it.
Right now, 12 states—including Arizona and Nevada—are suing to block those tariffs. They’re arguing that the President overstepped his authority. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in soon, and Trump has already warned it would be a "complete mess" if they lose.
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What Happened to the Old Cases?
You might be wondering about the "Big Four" cases from his first post-presidency era. The landscape there is... complicated.
- Georgia: The Fulton County election interference case? Basically dead. In late November 2025, the new prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, dropped all charges against Trump and his co-defendants.
- New York Civil Fraud: The $464 million penalty Letitia James won? It’s a bit of a zombie. The fine was vacated last August, but the finding that fraud actually occurred was upheld. Now, both sides are duking it out in New York's highest court.
- The New DOJ Division: On January 8, 2026, the White House announced a brand new Division for National Fraud Enforcement. It feels like a counter-move. Instead of states suing him, the federal government is now aggressively investigating state-run programs, specifically in Minnesota.
The Battle Over the Mailbags
One of the weirdest legal fights happening right now involves how you vote. Trump issued an executive order requiring "documentary proof of citizenship" to register and demanding all ballots be in by Election Day—no exceptions for postmarks.
Washington and Oregon sued immediately. They are "vote-by-mail" states, and they argued this would disenfranchise thousands of people. Just a few days ago, a federal judge in Seattle sided with the states, saying only Congress and the states can regulate elections, not the President.
Why This Matters for Your Daily Life
It’s easy to tune this out as "politics as usual," but these lawsuits affect things you actually use.
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- Your Wallet: The tariff lawsuits will determine if that new laptop or car costs 20% more next month.
- Your Health: The HHS lawsuits are tied to whether local clinics keep their federal grants.
- Your Vote: The election lawsuits decide if your mail-in ballot actually counts if it arrives on a Wednesday.
States are using the "Administrative Procedure Act" (APA) like a shield. They claim the administration is being "arbitrary and capricious"—basically, making up rules too fast without the proper process.
Actionable Insights: How to Track the Chaos
If you want to stay ahead of how these cases might affect your state or business, here is what you should actually do:
- Check your State AG’s Press Page: If you live in a blue state, your Attorney General likely has a dedicated "Litigation" or "Press" tab. This is where the first word of a new lawsuit always appears.
- Watch the "Preliminary Injunctions": When a judge grants a "preliminary injunction" (like the one in the Massachusetts transportation case recently), it means the federal policy is paused. That’s your sign that the status quo won't change for at least a few months.
- Follow the Dockets: Sites like Ballotpedia or Democracy Docket are surprisingly good at tracking the "multistate" counts. They do the math so you don't have to count 24 different court filings.
The number of states suing Trump is likely to grow as the 2026 midterms approach. It’s a legal tug-of-war that is redefining where a President's power ends and a State's power begins.