President Donald Trump’s Justice Department petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to freeze several cases, including a lawsuit challenging one of former President Biden’s student loan bailouts. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed multiple motions requesting the court to suspend proceedings in the student loan case and three environmental cases, allowing the new administration to “reassess the basis for and soundness” of Biden’s policies.
These cases were initially slated for oral arguments in March or April, with decisions expected later in the term. However, the DOJ’s request aims to indefinitely pause all written brief deadlines, effectively putting the cases on hold. During former President Joe Biden’s administration, the Department of Education canceled student debt for over 5 million Americans. However, Biden’s initiative faced numerous legal challenges, with GOP critics arguing that he exceeded his authority by acting without congressional approval.
Specifically, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Biden administration’s borrower defense rule, which aimed to expand student debt relief for borrowers reportedly defrauded by their schools. The court determined that Biden’s rule had “numerous statutory and regulatory shortcomings.” In response, Biden appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case earlier this month. Currently, that case is on hold, and it is possible that the Trump administration will revoke the rule change, making the issue irrelevant, Fox Business reported.
The three environmental cases involve regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Biden administration that have been legally challenged. It is common for a new presidential administration to reverse the positions of its predecessor on ongoing legal matters. For example, after taking office, the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested the Supreme Court to freeze a lawsuit opposing President Trump’s use of military funds to construct a border wall. President Biden subsequently halted the spending, leading the court to dismiss the case.
Similarly, the Biden administration intervened in a case challenging Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the case as moot after President Biden rescinded the policy. For his part, Trump repeatedly opposed student loan bailouts and the bulk of the Biden-Harris green agenda.
