Justice Department Asks Supreme Court to Limit Nationwide Injunctions

The United States Department of Justice filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of the United States seeking to restrict the power of federal judges to invalidate agency regulations nationwide. The administration argues that courts should limit legal relief to specific plaintiffs rather than shutting down federal regulations entirely.

This legal challenge focuses on the Administrative Procedure Act and follows a June 2025 Supreme Court ruling that restricted universal injunctions. The current appeal was triggered after the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals voided parts of a federal rule regarding surprise medical bills on a nationwide scale.

While the administration seeks to protect its policy priorities from broad judicial attacks, opponents, including some Republican-led states, contend that the Administrative Procedure Act is a necessary tool to protect state sovereignty and prevent executive overreach. The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to hear the case early next year.