The US Justice Department has abruptly reversed its decision to drop legal action against four law firms that challenged President Donald Trump's executive orders, filing a new request on Tuesday to pursue an appeal. The move comes just one day after the department told a court it was voluntarily withdrawing from the proceedings, a decision that had been celebrated by the firms as a capitulation.
The government's single-paragraph filing to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit gave no reason for the about-face. Attorneys for the four firms—Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Susman Godfrey and Jenner & Block—unanimously opposed the request, according to the filing. The firms had previously faced sanctions under Trump's executive orders, including stripped security clearances and terminated access to government buildings.
Susman Godfrey issued a statement vowing to continue its defence, 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 White House and Justice Department did not immediately comment.
The reversal follows a pattern of Trump targeting law firms perceived as hostile to his priorities, including those representing political rivals or supporting diversity initiatives. Nine firms have reached settlements with the administration, committing to pro-bono work for causes favoured by Trump. Critics have described these deals as acts of 'capitalistic cowardice'.
The four firms that refused to settle had successfully blocked the executive orders in lower courts. The Justice Department's initial withdrawal from the appeal had been seen as a victory for the rule of law, but Tuesday's filing reignites the legal battle.
