Trump Admin Reverses Decision to Drop Lawsuits Against Democratic-Tied Law Firms

The Justice Department is now telling four major law firms it will continue its legal battle against them over their ties to Democrats.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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The Justice Department has informed four large law firms targeted by former President Trump that it is reversing its previous decision to withdraw lawsuits against them. The firms - Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr; Perkins Coie; Jenner & Block; and Susman Godfrey - had challenged executive orders from the Trump administration that sought to prevent them from accessing federal buildings, classified information, and meeting with federal agencies due to their ties to Democrats. The firms had successfully challenged the orders in court, but the Trump administration was appealing those rulings. Now, the Justice Department has told the firms it will be continuing the legal battle against them.

Why it matters

This latest move by the Trump administration appears to be a renewed attempt to use the power of the presidency to target law firms with Democratic connections. The restrictions the administration tried to place on these firms' ability to conduct normal legal work in Washington were seen by many as an unconstitutional abuse of power. The reversal of the decision to drop the lawsuits suggests the Trump team is still pursuing this controversial crackdown on certain law firms.

The details

The Justice Department had previously told the four law firms it would be withdrawing the lawsuits against them. However, on Tuesday morning the firms were informed that the department was changing course and would be continuing the legal battle. The administration had been appealing rulings from federal judges in DC that struck down the executive orders targeting the firms as unconstitutional. Now, the Justice Department plans to file new documents with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to reflect this change in strategy.

  • On Monday night, the Trump administration initially told the DC Circuit Court of Appeals it would be dropping the cases against the law firms.
  • On Tuesday morning, the Justice Department informed the four law firms it was reversing that decision and would be continuing the legal battle.

The players

Trump administration

The former presidential administration of Donald Trump, which had targeted these law firms with executive orders and lawsuits over their ties to Democrats.

Justice Department

The U.S. Department of Justice, which is now telling the four law firms it will be reversing its previous decision to drop the lawsuits against them.

Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr; Perkins Coie; Jenner & Block; and Susman Godfrey

The four large law firms that were targeted by the Trump administration with executive orders and lawsuits due to their ties to the Democratic party.

DC Circuit Court of Appeals

The federal appeals court that is overseeing the legal battle between the Justice Department and the law firms.

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What’s next

The Justice Department is expected to file new documents with the DC Circuit Court of Appeals soon to reflect its decision to continue the legal battle against the four law firms.

The takeaway

This reversal by the Trump administration suggests it is still pursuing its controversial efforts to target law firms with Democratic ties, even after facing multiple court defeats. The continued legal battle raises concerns about the potential politicization of the Justice Department and the administration's respect for the rule of law.