President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) filed motions on Friday requesting the Supreme Court to pause proceedings on several cases, including a high-profile challenge to one of former President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness programs.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris submitted the motions, stating that the new administration intends to “reassess the basis for and soundness” of Biden-era policies.
The Supreme Court had planned to hear oral arguments for these cases in March or April, with decisions expected later this term.
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However, the Trump DOJ requested that all written briefing deadlines be halted, effectively placing the cases on indefinite hold.
One of the cases involves the Biden administration’s borrower defense rule, which sought to expand student loan relief for borrowers who claimed they were defrauded by their schools.
Under Biden, the Department of Education canceled student debt for over 5 million Americans, but the program faced significant legal challenges.
Republican critics argued that Biden exceeded his authority by implementing the policy without congressional approval.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals previously blocked the rule, citing “numerous statutory and regulatory shortcomings.”
Biden’s administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to review the case earlier this month.
However, with the Trump DOJ’s request, the case is now on hold, and the administration may revoke Biden’s rule altogether, potentially rendering the issue moot.
In addition to the student loan case, three environmental cases involving Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations are also on hold.
The regulations had faced challenges during Biden’s presidency and were set to be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
These cases highlight the broader shift in regulatory priorities under the Trump administration, as the DOJ evaluates whether to continue defending policies implemented by its predecessor.
It is not uncommon for a new administration to reverse its stance on legal cases inherited from the prior administration.
For example, after Biden took office in 2021, his DOJ requested the Supreme Court to freeze a challenge to Trump’s use of military funds to build a border wall.
Biden subsequently halted the spending, and the Supreme Court dismissed the case as moot.
Similarly, the Biden administration rescinded Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, leading the Supreme Court to dismiss a legal challenge against it.
These actions are part of a pattern where new administrations reevaluate ongoing litigation to align with their policy priorities.
If the Trump administration withdraws its defense of Biden’s borrower defense rule, it could leave millions of borrowers uncertain about the future of their student loans.
The hold on the environmental cases may also signal a shift away from stricter regulations implemented during Biden’s tenure.
As these cases remain in limbo, the legal and policy landscape continues to evolve under President Trump’s leadership.
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