Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized a federal judge for partially halting the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at the Jenner & Block law firm. She instructed government departments to cease compliance with the order due to what she termed "flagrant abuse of judicial authority," even as she implied that these entities retain discretion about their business partners.
The blunt wording, documented in a memorandum submitted in court papers on Tuesday, was co-signed by Bondi and Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget. This directive had to be distributed across all executive branch departments as per an instruction from Judge John Bates. temporary restraining order In a legal case initiated by the company.
The memorandum from Bondi and Vought starts with the following statement: "On March 28, 2025, another unappointed federal judge once more encroached upon the policy formulation and freedom of expression rights reserved for the executive branch. This time, they mandated that both the Attorney General and the OMB Director must draft a communication addressed to the leaders of each executive department and agency. Such local district judges do not possess this jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court ought to promptly curtail their evident misuse of judicial authority."
“As indicated in the court order, agencies are allowed to continue their normal operations, which includes the discretion to determine who they choose to collaborate with,” the document went on to say.
The wording in the memo, especially stating that agencies may opt out of working with these firms, is unusually confrontational and aggressive coming from an attorney general.
The document submitted to the federal court served as evidence that the administration was adhering to the judge’s directive to stop enforcing certain aspects of the executive order. This submission was endorsed by Chad Mizelle, who holds the positions of chief of staff for the attorney general and acting associate attorney general.
Jenner is among three companies that have filed lawsuits against the government and succeeded in obtaining temporary restraining orders due to the executive orders issued by Trump. He claimed these measures were retaliation for his associates' or clients' involvement in political activities and connections to criminal probes targeting him.
Trump’s executive orders have restricted several major law firms’ ability to do business with the federal government.
Several other companies have succumbed to the potential threat of executive orders against them and have reached agreements with the White House.
DIWIDA.NEWS | As previously reported, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP — the law firm that employs former second gentleman Doug Emhoff — has entered into an agreement with Trump. The President stated that this pact involves the firm committing to provide at least $100 million worth of pro bono legal assistance during his next term.
Prior to the announcement of the Willkie accord, Emhoff did. addressed the matter saying, “The rule of law is under attack. Democracy is under attack. And so, all of us lawyers need to do what we can to push back on that.”
Trump made similar agreements with the law firms Paul Weiss; Milbank; and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
In his blocking Regarding the executive order against Jenner, Bates, who was appointed during President George W. Bush’s term, found the targeting of the company "disturbing" and believed it would likely fail when challenged constitutionally.
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