‘The authoritarian playbook’: Trump targets judges, lawyers … and law itself
Attacks on key US institutions seek to stifle dissent, exact revenge and subordinate them to the president, experts say
- Never miss global breaking news. Download our free app to keep up with key stories in real time.
As Donald Trump aggressively seeks revenge against multiple foes in the US, he’s waging a vendetta using executive orders and social media against judges, law firms, prosecutors, the press and other vital American institutions to stifle dissent and exact retribution.
Legal scholars say the president’s menacing attacks, some of which Trump’s biggest campaign backer, the billionaire Elon Musk, has echoed, are aimed at silencing critics of his radical agenda and undercut the rule of law in authoritarian ways that expand his own powers.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Judge blocks 'unlawful' Trump order targeting Clinton 2016 law firm
A federal judge entered an emergency order barring the Trump administration from implementing parts of its executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie.ABC News - Mar. 12 -
Trump revisits playbook for taking down the judiciary
A hallmark of President Trump’s criminal trials were his unsparing attacks on the judges who oversaw them. Now, he’s going to that playbook again – this time from the Oval Office. Trump on ...The Hill - 6d -
The law must not bend to Trump’s crusade of political retribution
Lawyers must not sit on the sidelines as firms and judges are attacked merely for doing their jobs.The Hill - 6d -
Judge blocks parts of Trump executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary restraining order that stops three parts of Trump's executive order from being implemented against the law firm Perkins Coie.CBS News - Mar. 12 -
Judge temporarily blocks parts of Trump order targeting Perkins Coie
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily froze parts of President Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, which claims its past work for Democrats made it a subject of ...The Hill - Mar. 12 -
With New Decree, Trump Threatens Lawyers and Law Firms
A presidential memorandum aimed at lawyers everywhere struck a menacing tone.The New York Times - 3d -
Trump’s weird obsession with the arts is part of the authoritarian playbook | Charlotte Higgins
His focus on the Kennedy Center fits a pattern. From Augustus to Stalin, strongmen have sought cultural control for their own ends. In Washington, Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center – ...The Guardian - 6d -
Dems ask Trump admin to explain Khalil’s arrest, calling it ‘playbook of authoritarians’
More than 100 House Democrats sent the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.Politico - Mar. 14 -
Judge in deportation case chides DOJ lawyer for refusing to answer key questions
The court fight focuses on the Trump administration's use of a 1798 law to deport people it claims are part of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.NBC News - Mar. 17 -
Sen. Lindsey Graham rebukes lawyers who defended Trump foes: "I hope they pay a price"
President Trump has targeted several law firms by terminating security clearances and other executive actions.CBS News - Mar. 16 -
Trump’s battle with Washington law firm Perkins Coie, explained
The battle between President Trump and a prominent Washington law firm has taken a new turn this week, as a judge intervenes to pause Trump’s actions. The controversy kicked off when Trump targeted ...The Hill - Mar. 14 -
Trump targets lawyers who he says file 'frivolous' lawsuits against his administration
A new memo from Trump authorizes the attorney general and the homeland security secretary to sanction law firms that file lawsuits they deem “frivolous."NBC News - 2d -
Trump executive order targets Chicago law firm Jenner & Block
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday targeting Chicago law firm Jenner & Block. The firm also has an office in Washington, D.C.CBS News - 9h -
Trump Targeting Law Firms Raises Constitutional Concerns
The way Trump targeted the firms could go against of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.Inc. - Mar. 9 -
Not every Trump move is authoritarian — focus on the real threats
Trump's administration has committed real violations of law and democratic norms, but policy disagreements and norm violations do not invalidate the entire administration.The Hill - Mar. 10 -
Trump’s attack on law firms targets democracy’s front lines of defense
The initial targets of the president’s purge have been the law firms Perkins Coie, Covington & Burling, and Paul Weiss, which drew Trump’s wrath by representing or employing his adversaries.The Hill - 1d -
Trump signs order targeting law firm that employed Mueller team prosecutor
President Trump on Tuesday signed an order targeting a law firm that previously employed Andrew Weissman, a former federal prosecutor who worked on then-special counsel Robert Mueller’s team. The ...The Hill - 14h -
Justice Department demands judge recuse from Perkins Coie lawsuit
The Trump administration Friday demanded a federal judge step aside from overseeing Perkins Coie’s challenge to President Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm. The new filing claims U.S. ...The Hill - 4d -
Trump Lawyer Refuses to Answer Judge’s Questions in Deportation Flight Hearing
The Trump administration tried to have the hearing canceled and sought to remove the judge overseeing it, as White House officials took a confrontational stance.The New York Times - Mar. 19 -
GOP senator weighs in on Trump’s 1798 immigration law, judge’s attempt to block it
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.) appeared Sunday on CNN, where he spoke about President Trump’s decision to invoke a 1798 immigration law and a federal judge’s attempt to block it. On Saturday, ...The Hill - Mar. 16 -
Judge targeted by Trump for impeachment is a bipartisan appointee with a long career
The federal judge at odds with the White House over its immigration enforcement and now the target of impeachment calls driven by President Donald Trump is a bipartisan appointee whose three-decade ...NBC News - 6d -
Law Firm Bends in Face of Trump Demands
Paul, Weiss — one of three law firms targeted by President Trump as part of his retribution campaign — said it resolved the conflict by agreeing to a range of commitments.The New York Times - 5d -
Perkins Coie sues over Trump's order stripping security clearances
Law firm Perkins Coie has launched a suit to challenge President Trump’s stripping of security clearances for lawyers at the firm, saying it was targeted due to its past work for Democrats. Perkins ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
Legal community shaken by a powerful law firm's decision to give in to Trump's demands
President Donald Trump rescinded his executive order targeting Paul Weiss — after the law firm agreed to certain conditions.NBC News - 4d -
Trump rescinds order targeting Paul, Weiss citing commitments from law firm
President Trump on Thursday rescinded an executive order he signed less than a week ago targeting the Paul, Weiss law firm, citing an agreement with the firm that includes pro bono support for the ...The Hill - 5d -
Elon Musk Returns to His Trump Playbook in a Big Wisconsin Race
The billionaire, now a White House official and no longer a private citizen, is spending millions of dollars to elect a conservative judge, and making himself a main character in the race.The New York Times - 4d -
Judge Maintains Block on Trump Administration’s Deportations Under Wartime Law
Judge James E. Boasberg’s order says that the Venezuelan immigrants should have the opportunity to challenge the accusation by the Trump administration that they are members of a gang.The New York Times - 1d -
Republicans target two judges for impeachment
Two GOP lawmakers filed articles of impeachment on Monday against two judges who issued rulings that effectively blocked President Trump from advancing parts of his agenda. Rep. Andrew Clyde ...The Hill - 14h -
Law firms divided over response to Trump orders
The diverging paths taken by three law firms targeted by the Trump administration show a major divide over how the legal community is responding to a White House ratcheting up the pressure. The ...The Hill - 23h -
Judge Is Considering Block on Trump’s Use of Wartime Law to Deport Venezuelans
A hearing on Friday afternoon could also include some discussion about the Justice Department’s repeated recalcitrance in responding to the judge’s demands.The New York Times - 4d -
Judge Maintains Block on Trump Administration’s Deportations Under Wartime Law
The extraordinary move by the Justice Department was an escalation of its conflict with the judge in the case and, by extension, the federal judiciary.The New York Times - 1d -
Law in Mahmoud Khalil’s Case Was Once Struck Down — by Trump’s Sister
Judge Maryanne Trump Barry ruled that the law invoked against Mr. Khalil violated the Constitution by giving unfettered discretion to the secretary of state.The New York Times - 1d -
Judge blocks deportations under 1798 law, orders flights turned around
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting any noncitizens pursuant to the president's recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act.ABC News - Mar. 15 -
Law firm sues Trump administration after executive order targeting its attorneys
Perkins Coie has filed suit against the Trump administration over an executive order that targeted the firm for its work representing Clinton's 2016 campaign.ABC News - Mar. 11 -
Trump suggests law firms 'want to make deals' after rescinding Paul, Weiss order
President Trump on Friday defended a series of executive actions he’s taken to target major law firms associated with individuals he holds grudges against, one day after one of those law firms ...The Hill - 4d -
Trump blocked from using wartime law for deportations
A judge ordered a 14-day halt on deporting Venezuelans under a Trump order that declared them enemies.BBC News - Mar. 16 -
Judge denies Pulitzer board’s request to pause Trump lawsuit during presidency
A Florida judge Monday denied the Pulitzer Prize Board’s request to pause President Trump’s defamation lawsuit while he is in the White House, an argument Trump’s lawyers themselves have made in ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
DOGE likely subject to open records law, judge rules
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is likely covered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal judge ruled late Monday, rejecting the Trump administration’s position that ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
Judge incredulous in Trump deportation case as administration lawyers argue verbal court order isn’t binding – as it happened
This blog has now closed. You can read more of our US politics coverage here . White House denies violating judge’s order with Venezuela deportations What is the Alien Enemies Act and how is ...The Guardian - Mar. 18
More from The Guardian
-
Mike Waltz claims ‘full responsibility’ for Signal chat group leaked to journalist
Trump adviser says he can’t explain how Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg’s number was included in the group chat. Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, said on Tuesday he takes ...The Guardian - 7h -
Russia and Ukraine agree to ‘eliminate the use of force’ in Black Sea
Kremlin stipulates maritime ceasefire will start only if it gets sanctions relief on agricultural exports. Russia and Ukraine have agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea after ...The Guardian - 8h -
JD Vance to join wife on Greenland visit but scales back scope of trip amid protests – Europe live
US vice-president says he wants to ‘check out’ security as Denmark welcomes move to rule out some sites after protests from Greenlandic leaders. Russia launched an overnight drone attack on the ...The Guardian - 35m -
Prince Harry resigns ‘in shock’ from African charity he founded in 2006
Duke of Sussex and co-founder of Sentebale step down as patrons amid infighting in the organisation. The Duke of Sussex has resigned from an African charity he set up 20 years ago after infighting ...The Guardian - 9h -
Middle East crisis live: hundreds join anti-Hamas protest in Gaza
Demonstrators in Beit Lahia called for an end to the war with Israel, shouting ‘Hamas out’, amid the IDF’s intense bombing campaign. An Oscar-winning Palestinian director who was attacked by ...The Guardian - 27m
More in World
-
A Traditional Ramadan Treat Gets a Modern Remake (but Good Luck Getting It)
Marook, a sweet bread eaten during Ramadan in Syria, used to be a simple loaf, but now the list of choices can be as long as the lines of customers.The New York Times - 23m -
Tackling climate crisis will increase economic growth, OECD research finds
Third of global GDP could be lost this century if climate crisis runs unchecked, says report. Taking strong action to tackle the climate crisis will increase countries’ economic growth, rather than ...The Guardian - 24m -
Middle East crisis live: hundreds join anti-Hamas protest in Gaza
Demonstrators in Beit Lahia called for an end to the war with Israel, shouting ‘Hamas out’, amid the IDF’s intense bombing campaign. An Oscar-winning Palestinian director who was attacked by ...The Guardian - 27m -
Further welfare cuts expected as Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver spring statement – UK politics live
Keir Starmer will face Kemi Badenoch at PMQs before the chancellor delivers her spring statement . John Healey, the defence secretary, has been doing an interview round this morning because ...The Guardian - 32m -
JD Vance to join wife on Greenland visit but scales back scope of trip amid protests – Europe live
US vice-president says he wants to ‘check out’ security as Denmark welcomes move to rule out some sites after protests from Greenlandic leaders. Russia launched an overnight drone attack on the ...The Guardian - 35m