A federal judge on Tuesday threw out the Justice Department’s lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland over an order slowing down speedy deportation efforts, calling the administration’s attacks on the judiciary “unprecedented and unfortunate.”

U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen, an appointee of President Trump who sits on a federal court in Virginia, dismissed the lawsuit challenging a May standing order that automatically blocks the deportation of migrants in Maryland who file legal challenges over their detention for two business days.

The Trump administration had argued that the order, which was signed by the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, interferes with the executive branch’s powers and violate various rules.

“Fair enough, as far as it goes,” Cullen wrote. “If these arguments were made in the proper forum, they might well get some traction.”

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Former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two criminal prosecutions against President Donald Trump before the real estate mogul's 2024 election victory, fired back against a reported investigation into his handling of those cases, according to a letter obtained by USA TODAY.

"This investigation is premised on a partisan complaint that suggests the ordinary operation of the criminal justice system should be disrupted by the whims of a political contest," wrote two lawyers, Lanny A. Breuer and Peter Koski, on Smith's behalf.

The investigation into Smith is one of several under the Trump administration that have prompted fears that Trump is using his second term to engage in a revenge campaign against perceived enemies. Some of the president's supporters argue that such investigations are important to correct previous overreach.

On Aug. 22, FBI agents raided the home of former national security adviser and fierce Trump critic John Bolton. The bureau said it had court authorization for the search, but didn't elaborate on the specifics of the investigation. The Justice Department has also reportedly opened an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought a major civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his business associates.

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President Donald Trump on Aug. 25 announced he was firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, an unprecedented move that brings the president one step closer to shaping the balance of the Fed's seven-member board in his favor.

In a letter shared on Truth Social, Trump claimed "sufficient cause" to remove Cook immediately, pointing to accusations that Cook made false statements on mortgage agreements.

Cook said Aug. 26 the president lacked authority to oust her from the board of the central bank. She plans to challenge the move in court, according to a statement from her attorney.

The move comes amid Trump's monthslong efforts to influence the Fed's decisions on interest rates. Trump had previously focused on pressuring Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates through name-calling and termination threats, although he has since walked back threats to remove Powell.

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A large bruise on the back on Donald Trump’s right hand, which the president appeared to be hiding, poorly, under a daub of makeup last week, was clearly visible during public appearances on Monday, renewing speculation that the White House might be concealing information about his health.

Last month, after similar speculation over Trump’s swollen ankles prompted questions, the White House physician, Sean Barbabella, revealed in a memo that the president was suffering from chronic venous insufficiency.

In the same memo, Barbabella said that images showing bruising on Trump’s hand were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” and his use of aspirin as a precaution against heart attacks.

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