Judge Blocks Trump From Retaliating Against Another Top Law Firm

The New York Times ^ | April 15, 2025, 4:43 p.m. ET | Zach Montague

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It’s the latest setback to the president’s efforts to wield government power to punish the legal industry. A federal judge called it “a shocking abuse of power.”

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Trump from punishing the law firm Susman Godfrey, calling the retribution campaign he has waged from the White House against the nation’s top firms “a shocking abuse of power.”

Ruling from the bench, Judge Loren L. AliKhan of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia said that the executive order Mr. Trump signed last week targeting the firm stemmed from a “personal vendetta.” Susman Godfrey represented Dominion, a manufacturer of voting machines that lawyers allied with Mr. Trump falsely attacked when he lost the 2020 election; the firm helped Dominion secure a $787.5 million settlement in a defamation case against Fox News.

The judge’s decision temporarily blocks the Trump administration from carrying out many of the order’s punishments, including one directing agencies to turn the firm’s lawyers away from federal buildings and another aimed at terminating any federal contracts Susman Godfrey holds.

It is the latest legal setback for Mr. Trump in his efforts to cripple firms he has accused of helping “weaponize” the justice system against him. The president’s actions have split the legal elite, with some high-powered firms bowing to pressure from the White House and offering hundreds of millions of dollars worth of pro bono work on issues Mr. Trump supports. Others, like Susman Godfrey, have opted to fight back.

In a statement after the decision, the firm said it was “duty bound” to push back given the stakes involved.

“This fight is bigger and...

[nathanbedford]

I do not understand how, "abuse of power" is a proper constitutional basis for District Court to restrain a president.

I could understand a 14th amendment equal protection argument. But when applied to areas like race that require "close scrutiny" by the court, the government is usually restrained. However, here in the absence of issues of race etc., it would seem that the "rational basis" review would apply.

The old saw is that you decide these cases backwards by deciding what kind of scrutiny the court will apply. Invariably, when rational basis is applied, the government action is upheld.

Surely, the administration can contrive a legitimate government interest that can be rationally related to these restrictions on the law firm.

But "abuse of power?"

[Bikkuri]

[Words Matter]

Another Obama-judge?

[mabarker1]

will Congress do their job????

Refer to My FRTaglne.

[Gaffer]

I watched a lot of these confirmations, especially the ones with Kennedy, Gaetz, et al questioning the nominees. It’s astonishing how little most of them actually know about the law - even Law 101 stuff.

[mbrfl]

Retaliating is one of those intentionally vague terms the leftist media like to use to create a false impression of the Trump administration’s actions.

Is the Trump administration harassing this law firm in some way? Maybe they’re suing them or unfairly targeting them with criminal prosecution? These are the sorts of things the mind conjures up when the term “retaliation” is thrown about. And yet none of those things apply in this instance.

President Trump’s executive order merely removes security clearances for employees of this law firm and ends any government contracts with them. The media would have you believe being granted a security clearance and being given government contracts are civil rights.

[sauropod]

bkmk

[OA5599]

I believe I read 5 of the 15 DC district judges were not born in the US. But you might want to verify that yourself before quoting me.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Something has to be done about the DNC’s weaponized “Justice Department.” It’s time to cull the heard of political “judges”. Way too many political operatives. Trump and his boys need to get together and figure out how to stop funding the so-called “Justice Department.” It has gone full rogue and is now just another weapon being used against opponents of the DemonRATS. The DNC’s “Justice Department” is the greatest threat to the United States of America.

[thinden]

I believe I read 5 of the 15 DC district judges were not born in the US. But you might want to verify that yourself before quoting me.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

as I understand it, DC allows non citizens the right to vote.

so, how can a US citizen be guaranteed a jury of their peers if the jurors are pulled from the voter rolls?

why do we even need judges or federal courts in DC anyway

all they need there is a traffic court or municipal court

[alaskamomma]

Figures the Newyork slimes would like this. Anything that is done AGAINST US CITIZENS AND THIS PRESIDENT give them orgasms because they hate us AND they are lapdogs for BIG GOVERMENT, THE DEEP STATE AND THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. Get something done about these black robed tyrants. we didn’t elect them TO RUN OUR COUNTRY AND LIVES. NOW