WASHINGTON (TNND) — Congressional Republicans are frustrated with the increasing number of nationwide injunctions issued by district court judges that have blocked former President Donald Trump's policies. Senator Josh Hawley introduced legislation aimed at banning these broad injunctions.

According to a press release from Hawley, the Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevent Act of 2025 would:

• Ban nationwide injunctions by district court judges.
• Clarify that a district judge’s order only applies to the parties in the case, or within the local judicial district—not to the entire nation.
• Empower the Executive Branch to effectively pursue a national policy agenda without unreasonable obstruction.

In February alone, judges issued 15 nationwide injunctions against the Trump administration, surpassing the total faced by Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden throughout their entire terms, according to the Harvard Law Review. During Trump's last term, his agenda encountered 64 such injunctions, with 86% of these challenges coming from judges appointed by Democratic presidents.

Most of the injunctions slapped against Trump also originated from federal judges in Democratic strongholds such as California, New York, Hawaii, Maryland, and Illinois. These rulings have blocked policies on immigration, sanctuary cities, healthcare, and more, reflecting legal pushback from courts in left-leaning jurisdictions.

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established district courts, with federal judges presiding over cases within their districts. Initially, their jurisdiction was limited to admiralty, maritime, and minor civil and criminal cases. Over time, Congress expanded its jurisdiction, especially in non-capital criminal cases, according to the Federal Judicial Center.

The debate over universal injunctions continues, with critics arguing that they grant excessive power to the judiciary. Many advocate for limiting district courts to resolving cases only between the parties involved. However, proponents contend that such injunctions are sometimes necessary to protect rights and ensure government actions remain within constitutional limits.