The next U.S. census is four years away, but two lawsuits playing out this year could affect how the head count will be done and who'll be counted. Allies of President Donald Trump are behind the lawsuits challenging various aspects of the once-a-decade count by the U.S. Census Bureau that's used to determine congressional representation and federal aid to states. The lawsuits align with parts of Trump's agenda, even as his administration must defend the Census Bureau and its methods in court. Democratic-aligned groups are trying to intervene because of concerns over whether the Justice Department will defend the bureau vigorously.
