Some seeds of hope in the struggle for the rule of law in the US from the NYT Editorial Board:
"The four law firms that last year chose to fight President Trump’s illegal intimidation campaign won at least temporary vindication this week. Federal judges had already struck down Mr. Trump’s executive orders trying to punish the firms for representing or employing people he considered to be his political enemies. On Monday the Trump administration abandoned its appeals of those rulings, accepting defeat.
On Tuesday morning, in a sign of the administration’s disorganization, the Justice Department sent an email to the four firms apologizing for the short notice and saying it was reversing course again. Its appeals would now continue. This withdrawal of the administration’s withdrawal is amateurish, and it does not change the likely outcome of the fight. Judges — appointed by presidents of both parties — have repeatedly ruled that the executive orders were illegal, and there is every reason to expect that to continue. The Trump administration’s initial withdrawal of its appeals is an indication that at least some officials understand this reality."
…
Mr. Trump’s assaults on American democracy are much broader than his executive orders against law firms, of course. He has bypassed Congress when going to war. He has defied judges’ orders on immigration policy. He glories in using the office of the presidency to enrich himself. He declares national emergencies on false pretenses. He lies about voter fraud and tries to change election rules to benefit himself.
When he takes these steps, he can sometimes seem omnipotent. He can, however, be restrained. The Supreme Court last month overturned his illegal tariffs. Lower courts have repeatedly blocked other Trump policies. Enough Republican legislators in Indiana, Kansas and Nebraska rejected his gerrymandering demands that the plans have stalled. The four law firms that fought his executive orders forced this week’s embarrassing double about-face from the administration.
Democracy in this country remains under threat from Mr. Trump. But it has better than a fighting chance so long as Americans are willing to fight."
The 4 big law firms that fought:
Jenner & Block; Susman Godfrey; Perkins Coie; WilmerHale
Law firms that came to the defense of the four and represented them in court also deserve recognition, including Clement & Murphy; Cooley; Munger Tolles & Olson; and Williams & Connolly.
The 9 big law firms that surrendered to Trump's coercion (remember their shame):
Paul Weiss; A&O Shearman; Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft; Kirkland & Ellis; Latham & Watkins; Milbank; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden Arps; Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
Posted by loremipsumot