Justice Department asks appeals court to reinstate Trump executive orders targeting four law firms after reversing course
The Facts
- On March 6, 2026, the Justice Department asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to overturn lower-court rulings and revive Trump executive orders targeting four law firms.
- The appeal concerns executive orders aimed at Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey.
- Four district court judges blocked or struck down the executive orders in rulings that the Justice Department is now appealing.
- In its brief, DOJ argued that the judges 'bent over backwards' to invalidate the orders and that the rulings improperly encroached on presidential authority.
- The DOJ brief includes the line: 'Courts cannot tell the President what to say,' and also argues courts cannot tell the president what not to say.
- The administration reversed course earlier in the week: DOJ first indicated it would voluntarily drop the appeals, then withdrew that move and proceeded with the appeal.
Context
Which law firms are at the center of the appeal?
The appeal involves executive orders targeting Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. Washington Post U.S. News & World R… news.bloomberglaw.c… ABC News
What is the Justice Department arguing in its new filing?
DOJ argues that the district judges overstepped by blocking directives it says fall within core presidential powers, and it contends courts cannot direct what the president may say or how the president handles security clearances. NYT news.bloomberglaw.c… ABC News
Why is the filing drawing attention beyond the underlying dispute?
Multiple outlets report it follows a rapid reversal: DOJ indicated it planned to drop the appeals earlier in the week, then withdrew that move and filed a substantive brief seeking to reinstate the orders. CBS News news.bloomberglaw.c… ABC News
The receipts — all 10 sources
Wire services (2)
Independent coverage (8)
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