Justice Department Suggests Federal Agencies Are Free To Blacklist Law Firm Despite Judge's Order

The Justice Department has suggested to federal agencies that they are free to blacklist a law firm targeted by President Donald Trump despite a judge's ruling that halted enforcement of a White House executive order that was meant to punish it.

U.S. District Judge John Bates last month temporarily blocked provisions of a Trump executive order against the firm of Jenner Block that called for the firm's employees to be denied access to federal buildings and for federal contracts held by the firm or its clients to be reviewed and terminated. The firm is among several prominent ones subject in recent weeks to similarly worded executive orders by the Republican president some, like Jenner Block, have sued over the orders, and others have reached settlements to avert being sanctioned by the White House.

In a letter notifying agency heads about the ruling, Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House budget director Russell Vought criticized Bates as an "unelected district court judge" who has "invaded the policy-making and free speech prerogatives of the executive branch."

"Of course, as noted in the court order, agencies are permitted to carry on their ordinary course of business which carries with it the authority to decide with whom to work," said the letter, which was filed in court Tuesday.

It later adds: "As it remains the Executive Branch's position that Executive Order 14246 was necessary policy the government reserves the right to take all necessary and legal actions regarding 'lawfare,' national security concerns, and discriminatory practices involving Jenner Block."