Pushback 69

Andrea Dooley

05 May 2025 — 3 min read

No American President has ever before issued executive orders like the one at issue in this lawsuit targeting a prominent law firm with adverse actions to be executed by all Executive branch agencies but, in purpose and effect, this action draws from a playbook as old as Shakespeare, who penned the phrase: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, HENRY VI, PART 2, act 4, sc. 2, l. 75. When Shakespeare’s character, a rebel leader intent on becoming king, see id. l. 74, hears this suggestion, he promptly incorporates this tactic as part of his plan to assume power, leading in the same scene to the rebel leader demanding “[a]way with him,” referring to an educated clerk, who “can make obligations and write court hand,” id. l. 90, 106. Eliminating lawyers as the guardians of the rule of law removes a major impediment to the path to more power. See Walters v. Nat’l Ass’n of Radiation Survivors, 473 U.S. 305, 371 n.24 (1985) (Stevens, J., dissenting) (explaining the import of the same Shakespearean statement to be “that disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government”).

From Judge Howell's decision in the Perkins Coies case (see below)

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"Democrats" are elected officials, government agencies, unions, and non-profits. "Grassroots" are individuals, political organizing groups, and informal groups. "Disloyal Opposition" are Republicans, conservatives, business interests, and other interests more typically aligned with the GOP agenda.

The Democrats

Messaging

The Democratic Party's Path Forward Primary

‘Something has gone badly wrong’: Judges across spectrum push back on Trump’s power grab

State environmental agencies slam Trump’s EPA funding cuts

“Chilling”: Wisconsin Gov. Evers Pushes Back After Trump’s Border Czar Threatens to Arrest Him

Media

Legislative Action

Trump Crypto Deals Provoke Senate Backlash and Calls for Investigation

Judicial Action

The Courts Push Back Against Trump

Democratic-led states sue Trump for blocking wind energy projects

20 attorneys general ask federal judge to reverse deep cuts to US Health and Human Services

High-profile attorney Abbe Lowell launches new firm to push back on Trump's attacks on legal system

A couple of updates from the Just Security Litigation Tracker:

In the lawsuit brought by cities challenging Trump's EO withholding funds from "sanctuary cities," Judge Orrick has granted a preliminary injunction preventing the EO from taking effect.
In Perkin Coies's lawsuit challenging the Trump EO issued against them, Judge Howell has ruled that the EO is unlawful and unconstitutional. You can read her opinion HERE. It's a barn burner.
On May 1, Judge Richard Leon granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from dissolving the IMLS.