The US Department of Justice has abruptly reversed its decision to drop legal proceedings against four law firms that defied executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, the department filed a single-paragraph request with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, stating it wished to pursue the appeal, just one day after announcing it would withdraw from the case.
The move came as a surprise, as the department had voluntarily withdrawn from the appeal on Monday, a decision celebrated by the law firms involved. The government gave no reason for its sudden about-face, and attorneys for the four firms unanimously opposed the request to reverse the earlier dismissal, to which all parties had agreed.
Susman Godfrey, one of the four firms, issued a statement saying: 'Yesterday evening, the administration told the court that it gave up and wouldn't even try to defend its unconstitutional executive orders. Today, it reversed course. Regardless, Susman Godfrey will defend itself and the rule of law – without equivocation.' The other firms involved are Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block.
The executive orders in question sought to penalise law firms that represented clients or causes opposed by Trump, including by stripping security clearances and terminating access to government buildings. Nine other law firms reached settlements with the administration, committing to pro-bono work for causes favoured by Trump, which critics described as acts of 'capitalistic cowardice'.
The development was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. There was no immediate comment from the White House or the Justice Department.
