DOJ reverses course and will defend Trump executive orders targeting law firms

Published March 3, 2026 4:40pm ET



The Justice Department reversed course on Tuesday and told a federal appeals court it will continue defending President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting several major law firms — less than 24 hours after seeking to abandon the fight.

In a short filing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, DOJ lawyers moved to withdraw their prior request to voluntarily dismiss the consolidated appeals. The DOJ offered no explanation for the abrupt change in position.

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