Judge blocks most of Trump executive order against law firm Susman Godfrey

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Reuters

Judge blocks most of Trump executive order against law firm Susman Godfrey

By David Thomas and Mike Scarcella
April 15, 2025 3:27 PM EDT Updated 40 min ago

April 15 (Reuters) - A judge in Washington on Tuesday blocked most of U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, dealing the White House a new legal setback in its campaign against firms THAT Trump disfavors.

U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a temporary restraining order halting provisions of Trump's directive that threatened to cancel federal contracts held by Susman Godfrey's clients and restricted its lawyers' access to government buildings and officials.

{paywall)

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/judge-blocks-most-trump-executive-order-against-law-firm-susman-godfrey-2025-04-15/

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Hat tip, Chris Geidner

Chris Geidner
‪@chrisgeidner.bsky.social‬

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BREAKING: Judge Loren AliKhan is issuing the temporary restraining order Susman Godfrey sought blocking the Trump admin from enforcing parts 1, 3, & 5 of the executive order Trump signed last week targeting the law firm.

AliKhan is the 4th judge to grant a TRO against Trump's law-firm EOs.
April 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM

https://bsky.app/profile/chrisgeidner.bsky.social/post/3lmusdpj6e22o

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Earlier:

Chris Geidner
‪@chrisgeidner.bsky.social‬

Follow
UPDATE: We expect a ruling from the bench on Susman Godfrey's request for a TRO against Trump's EO targeting thr law firm at 3:15p following the TRO hearing. The court is taking a brief recess now.

‪Chris Geidner‬ ‪@chrisgeidner.bsky.social‬
·
21h
NEWS: Judge Loren AliKhan sets the Susman TRO hearing for 2p Tuesday. AliKhan, a Biden appointee, is the fourth judge in D.C. to get one of the four law firm lawsuits against Trump.
MINUTE ORDER: In light of Plaintiff's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order 10, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall appear for a hearing on the motion on April 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom 21. It is further ORDERED that Plaintiff shall serve Defendants with a copy of this Order immediately upon receipt to ensure that counsel for Defendants has sufficient notice to appear at the hearing.The court will provide access for the public to telephonically attend the hearing. The hearing can be accessed by dialing the Toll Free Number: 833-990-9400 (Meeting ID: 715234770). It is hereby ORDERED that the attendees using the public access telephone line shall adhere to the following: persons remotely accessing court proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting any court proceedings (including those held by telephone or videoconference). Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court-issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the presiding Judge. Signed by Judge Loren L. AliKhan on 04/14/2025. (lclla2)
ALT
April 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM

https://bsky.app/profile/chrisgeidner.bsky.social/post/3lmurlf3nuc2o

[yowzayowzayowza]

1. Good thing the courts are open and the focus...

is on Commander Bonespurs.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Glad there was a count of TROs associated with retributions against some law firms

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Maddow Blog-4 law firms targeted by Trump extend their winning streak against White House

These four law firms targeted by Trump challenged his offensive in court. At this point, they're undefeated.

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/4-law-firms-targeted-trump-extend-winning-streak-white-house-rcna201492

While we don’t know why the White House launched this offensive, we do know that the offensive is already struggling. The New York Times reported:

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.”

This was a preliminary step. Susman Godfrey sought a temporary restraining order, and the judge agreed, which means Trump’s executive order has been blocked and the punishments the president sought to impose are on hold. That said, the underlying case is ongoing.

Stepping back, however, it’s hard not to notice the recent winning streak for law firms that have fought back against the White House instead of trying to appease the president.

One of the first firms to be targeted, Perkins Coie, filed suit against Trump rather than giving in, and soon after, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell temporarily blocked the president’s policy, saying in reference to the executive order, “It sends little chills down my spine.” The judge added, “I am sure that many in the profession are watching in horror at what Perkins Coie is going through.”

It was the first in a series of related setbacks for the White House. Around the same time, Jenner & Block was targeted; it also sought a temporary order blocking Trump’s attack, and it also succeeded. With WilmerHale, the exact same thing happened.

In other words, four of the 14 targeted firms fought back rather than giving in, and all four have — at least for now — prevailed when seeking temporary restraining orders, stopping Trump’s gambit in its tracks.

Again, I know attorneys at the Susman firm. I am glad that they won this TRO