Newsletters

Trump keeps breaking the law. We’re still fighting back.

Washington, August 1, 2025

While I’ve been home meeting with families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses across our district, here’s what’s happening in Washington:

🧾 Trump’s Tariffs Are Taking Effect
Trump’s new tariffs are set to take effect soon — raising prices for working families while padding the pockets of the wealthiest few individuals and large corporations. It’s part of his same playbook: make you pay more while billionaires get richer.

🎓 Student Loan Interest Is Back
Interest on student loans quietly resumed this week — even as Trump and his allies block every attempt we make to provide real relief. Find more information on the changes to student aid programs through your loan servicer or at studentaid.gov. My office is here to help you navigate federal agencies, including help with federal student aid issues. Give us a call at (303) 274-7944 if you need help.

⚖️ COURT UPDATE: Trump Keeps Losing

Trump wants you to think he’s above the law, but people from all walks of life from all over the country are suing to stop his most extreme actions — and they’re winning.

📈 344 lawsuits have been filed directly challenging Trump’s agenda.
❌ 165 of them have ruled against Trump.
🚨 Trump is defying court orders in at least 57 of those cases — a third of all rulings. That’s not just lawless. That’s dangerous.

This willful noncompliance with court orders from the executive branch should not be tolerated by our Republican colleagues—but they remain silent as Trump undermines justice and defies the law.

✅Here’s What We Stopped This Week:

❌Trump’s Attack on Birthright Citizenship — BLOCKED
A federal appeals court ruled that Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional. Period. It violates the 14th Amendment, and I was proud to support the legal challenge.

❌Hiding Taxpayer Spending Data — BLOCKED
A judge ordered the Trump Administration to restore a public database he had removed showing how federal funds are being spent. We sued. We won. Americans deserve transparency.

❌Defunding Planned Parenthood — BLOCKED (for now)
A federal judge extended a block that temporarily stops Trump from enforcing a provision of the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that cuts funding for Planned Parenthood, while legal challenges continue.

💰 CORRUPTION UPDATE

✈️Trump’s “Free Jet” Now Costs Taxpayers Nearly $1 Billion
Trump claimed a Qatari-donated jet was a gift — but now reports show its renovation costs could hit $1 BILLION. Paid for by YOUR taxpayer dollars. This is an ethics violation of the highest degree—it’s blatant corruption.

📂Epstein Files Still Hidden
As you know, last week, Speaker Johnson adjourned the House early — conveniently avoiding a vote to release the Epstein files. I’m backing legislation to expose the truth. The victims deserve justice. The American people deserve answers.

🏔️What It Means for Colorado

Trump’s Big Ugly Bill will force over $1 BILLION in cuts to Colorado’s budget. That means less for schools, infrastructure, and public lands.

But this week, we stopped one important cut:
❌Trump’s Attempt to Slash School Funding — BLOCKED
Colorado just got back $80 million in federal education funding that Trump tried to withhold. I joined my colleagues, as well as governors across the country, demanding the release of these funds, and I’m thankful that ultimately, the courts ruled in our favor. This brings momentary relief, but our fight is far from over to ensure our kids and our schools get the resources they need.

I’m not letting Trump get away with corruption, cruelty, or lawlessness — and I know you won’t either.

Until next time, keep speaking out and standing up. I will do the same. And be sure you’re following me on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and X.

Thanks for reading — and for being part of the fight.

Brittany Pettersen
Member of Congress