During the first Trump administration from 2017 to 2021, the Vermont attorney general’s office joined in on 54 lawsuits against the federal government, according to data provided by the office. 

Fifteen months into Trump’s second term, the state has joined 49 lawsuits against his administration, making Vermont well on track to beat its previous total. In fact, another lawsuit was announced on Friday afternoon just as this story was being edited: Vermont joined a coalition of 14 states and local governments suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to implement standards governing soot. 

Jared Carter, a Vermont Law School professor and constitutional law expert, said the rate was “unprecedented” — but he was clear that it isn’t really Vermont that’s acting in an unprecedented manner. 

“My view is that these are a response to unprecedented actions by the federal government,” he said. “The scope of what the Trump administration has attempted to do through executive action, for example, is pretty astounding.”

Vermont has joined suits challenging everything from Trump’s tariffs to federal workforce layoffs to the rollback of gender-affirming healthcare, cases that, if successful, could preserve tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for state programs and protect services that Vermonters rely on. But in the winding legal system, whether those early courtroom wins translate into lasting results remains to be seen. 

Attorney General Charity Clark and her office have joined in on a wide range of lawsuits generated by multistate coalitions dedicated to pushing back on Trump’s allegedly illegal actions.

“Over the past fifteen months, I truly believe that state attorneys general have served as a bulwark, protecting the Constitution and the rule of law, by blocking dozens of unconstitutional and illegal acts by the Trump Administration,” said Clark, who has served in the role since 2023, in a statement. Clark declined to be interviewed in the story, citing scheduling conflicts. 

In an email, Gov. Phil Scott’s press secretary, Amanda Wheeler, said there have been instances where Scott has agreed with Clark’s decision to sign onto lawsuits from other states. There have been times when the two conflicted. In 2025, Clark implied Scott had stalled electric vehicle funds stemming from a lawsuit. 

“In some cases, we’ve seen the positive outcomes of those lawsuits which is good news for Vermont,” Wheeler said.

She added, “The Governor has been clear that when it comes to the Trump Administration, he’ll continue to call balls and strikes and stand up for what’s in the best interest of Vermont and Vermonters.”

Data from the attorney general shows that the state has joined lawsuits throughout the past 15 months, with activity peaking in mid-2025. Clark has also filed 53 amicus briefs, or “friend-of-the-court” reports arguing in favor of the plaintiffs. 

That gender-affirming care lawsuit has become one of the state’s most clear-cut successes: A federal judge ruled in favor of the coalition on April 18, blocking a rule that would have restricted gender-affirming care for minors. 

“This decision is a victory in our ongoing fight for bodily autonomy and the rights of transgender youth,” said Clark in a statement Monday. “We will continue to fight to ensure that gender-affirming care remains safe, effective, and protected.”

But according to a document provided by Amelia Vath, Clark’s senior advisor, few lawsuits have had such a definitive victory. In 19 of the 49 cases, federal judges have ruled in Vermont’s favor, but most of those still have the possibility of an appeal. 

“In law, we learn never to pop the champagne bottle,” Carter said. “It’s always going to be an ongoing legal battle.”

Yet looking at the lawsuits so far, he said he believes Vermont has a good “batting average” on the suits it’s part of. 

“When you see things like courts granting preliminary injunctions, what that means is a court is telling the Trump administration, ‘You cannot do this,’ or they’re telling the Trump administration, ‘You must do this,’” he said. “So a preliminary injunction is a win for a plaintiff like the state of Vermont and all the other states.”

Even after a win, enforcing court orders has been a challenge with Trump, Carter said. The U.S. Department of Justice “does his bidding” to find loopholes in judicial decisions. 

“I think the Trump administration has taken that” to another level “when it comes to trying to figure out ways to work around decisions of the Supreme Court,” he said. 

He gave the example of Trump’s tariffs on imported international goods. Vermont was a part of the case in which the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs in March. Trump then immediately attempted to impose new tariffs, leading to yet another lawsuit Vermont joined. 

Only two cases have been total failures, according to the attorney general’s records. One was a suit challenging the Trump administration’s defunding of Planned Parenthood, which the plaintiffs withdrew in March. The other was a suit attempting to block mass layoffs of federal employees, a decision one circuit court blocked but another overturned on appeal. 

Vermont has yet to take the lead on any of the cases it’s joined, according to the attorney general’s records. It has also joined just a small part of the more than 700 lawsuits against the Trump administration, including 84 led by state plaintiffs, according to Just Security, a law and policy journal. 

According to the attorney general’s records, 16 of the lawsuits explicitly mention funding for state programs or federal programs that provide services to Vermonters, such as federal food assistance, natural disaster aid and energy programs. 

“Because of these lawsuits, my office has brought back tens of millions of dollars that were illegally withheld from Vermont,” Clark said in her statement. “I am very proud of the hardworking and patriotic lawyers in my office and our united mission to protect Vermont and our country.”

Carter said the direct financial consequences of Trump’s actions mean that these lawsuits seem like a good return on investment. Even non-financial lawsuits are important, though, because they rest on principles of equity and the rule of law, he said. 

“Even if you just got a preliminary injunction, and it doesn’t result in money coming into the state, you still stood up on the right side of history and said, ‘What’s going on here is not legal,’” he said. 

Carter himself has taken part in legal actions against the federal government before. He said that filing a suit against powerful figures like the president could be “intimidating,” but he also found it empowering. 

“Plaintiffs with strong legal arguments and conviction in their constitutional rights can be more powerful than the president,” he said.

Disclosure: Jared Carter has provided pro bono legal assistance to VTDigger.

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Vermont is packed with scenic roadways that cross the state’s small villages, ski resorts, mountain ranges, and the islands of Lake Champlain. Along the way, these drives connect historic landmarks such as the Arlington Covered Bridge and access to state parks, battlefields, and working farms. The routes also tie together the region’s cultural threads, from Revolutionary War sites near the Green Mountain National Forest to Robert Frost’s former home in Shaftsbury. These nine road trips capture both the landscape and heritage of Vermont.

Molly Stark Scenic Byway

The Molly Stark Scenic Byway follows Route 9 for about 48 miles. Running east to west from Brattleboro to Bennington, this southern Vermont route is known for views of small towns, covered bridges, and mountain lakes. It passes through portions of the Green Mountain National Forest. The byway is named after Revolutionary War General John Stark’s wife, and the route generally follows the corridor associated with his 1777 march to the Battle of Bennington.

In Brattleboro, the Creamery Covered Bridge was originally built in 1879 and later reconstructed. It is closed to vehicle traffic but open to pedestrians. The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center holds exhibitions by regional and international artists. Molly Stark State Park in Wilmington includes a short hike up Mount Olga.

Lake Champlain Byway

The Lake Champlain Byway stretches for about 184 miles in the northwest part of the state. It follows a network of routes including US 2, US 7, and several connecting state highways. Running north to south, the byway begins in Alburgh near the Canadian border, continues through Burlington and Vergennes, and ends in Orwell.

Following the shoreline of Lake Champlain, this drive runs near Alburgh Dunes State Park and Grand Isle State Park on an island in the middle of the lake. Vergennes Falls Park, on Otter Creek, has a boat launch and a scenic waterfall right in town.

Vermont Route 100

Sometimes called the “Skier’s Highway” for its proximity to the state’s top ski resorts, Vermont Route 100 runs about 216 miles. It starts in the north near Newport and heads south to Stamford at the Massachusetts border, running north-south through much of central Vermont alongside the Green Mountain National Forest.

In Stowe, Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch State Park offer outdoor recreation. Stowe is also home to the Gold Brook Covered Bridge, built around 1844 and still spanning Gold Brook. Next on the route in Plymouth, Coolidge State Park has rustic campsites and picnic areas near President Coolidge’s birthplace. Ludlow is another stop for skiers at Okemo Mountain Resort. In Weston, the Vermont Country Store sells gifts, apparel, and traditional New England goods such as maple syrup.

Green Mountain Byway

At 71 miles long, the Green Mountain Byway follows the peaks and passes of the northern Green Mountains. It sits in the north-central part of the state and takes in views of forests and Vermont’s highest peak at Mount Mansfield. Following a combination of Routes 100, 100C, 108, 15, and 15A, the byway passes through towns such as Stowe and Hyde Park.

The Green River Reservoir State Park in Hyde Park covers about 5,500 acres and is well suited for paddling and swimming. Farther along, drivers can stretch their legs at Little River State Park or take a tour of the ice cream production line at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury.

Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch, an approximately 3.5-mile stretch, sits within the larger Green Mountain Byway. It follows Route 108, a winding mountain road with rocky terrain and hairpin turns between Stowe Mountain Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort. The route was historically used for smuggling goods, particularly during the early 19^th century Embargo period and later during Prohibition. This section of Route 108 is closed from late fall to mid-May due to unsafe road conditions.

Although short and seasonal, this stretch is good for fall leaf viewing and for warm-weather visits to the resorts. Both Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch offer spring and summer activities including hiking, climbing, and disc golf. Smugglers’ Notch State Park is part of the more than 44,000-acre Mount Mansfield State Forest, making it a useful pull-off for picnics and nature watching.

Stone Valley Scenic Byway

Located on Route 30, on the southwestern side of the state, the Stone Valley Scenic Byway connects Poultney and Manchester and runs about 30 miles. It winds through Poultney, Wells, Pawlet, Rupert, and Dorset while passing historic landmarks and mountain peaks.

In Hubbardton, the Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site marks a 1777 Revolutionary War battle. Poultney’s Lake Saint Catherine State Park covers 117 acres and is set up for camping and swimming. In Manchester, the American Museum of Fly Fishing preserves the history of the sport through art, rod design, and antique gear.

Connecticut River National Byway

The Connecticut River Byway runs about 500 miles in total across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Vermont portion follows Route 5 alongside Interstate 91 for roughly 250 miles along the Connecticut River. The route parallels the New Hampshire border and offers occasional views toward the White Mountains to the east and Vermont’s own hills to the west. This drive goes through St. Johnsbury, Windsor, and Bellows Falls before ending near the Massachusetts border.

In St. Johnsbury, the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium holds a broad natural history collection. A section of the Appalachian Trail passes near Norwich, with trailheads accessible from the byway. In Weathersfield, Wilgus State Park sits right along the Connecticut River with camping, canoe access, and short woodland trails.

Crossroads of Vermont Byway

The Crossroads of Vermont Byway runs about 50 miles on Route 4. It starts in the center of the state and heads east from Rutland to Quechee near the New Hampshire border, passing through Killington, which has access to a section of the Appalachian Trail, and Woodstock.

In Killington, Gifford Woods State Park is a small 114-acre property near the base of the Killington and Pico peaks. Next on the route is Billings Farm & Museum, a working dairy farm and agricultural exhibit in Woodstock. The Simon Pearce restaurant and glassblowing flagship and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science are both in Quechee.

The Shires of Vermont Byway

The Shires of Vermont Byway, historic Route 7A, spans about 33 miles between the Taconic and Green Mountains, close to the Batten Kill River. The roadway is named for the “shires,” or county seats. Bennington County has two of them, Manchester in the north and Bennington in the south. The route runs through Arlington and Shaftsbury in the southwestern part of the state.

In Arlington, the West Arlington Covered Bridge, built in 1852 and crossing the Batten Kill River, is one of Vermont’s older covered bridges. The Robert Frost Stone House Museum in Shaftsbury holds a collection of the poet’s works in the 18^th-century stone house where he wrote many of his best-known poems. His gravesite is nearby in Old Bennington, at the First Congregational Church. The Bennington Battle Monument, completed in 1891, commemorates the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Bennington.

Exploring Vermont by Road

Vermont’s scenic drives cover both long cross-state journeys and shorter excursions. Some routes run through the Green Mountains and along Lake Champlain; others take in food-and-craft stops like the Ben & Jerry’s Factory or the Vermont Country Store. Many of these routes are located within driving distance of one another, and most are popular during fall foliage season.