Versatility of conviction, big law extortion edition

TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) was coined to describe Trump’s flip-flops on tariffs, but he’s flip-flopped on other notorious threats.

“The Trump administration plans to abandon its defense of the president’s executive orders sanctioning several law firms, according to people familiar with the matter.

 

“The Justice Department as soon as Monday was expected to drop its appeals of four trial-court rulings that struck down President Trump’s actions against law firms Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Perkins Coie, and Susman Godfrey. 

 

“Trump issued a string of executive orders last year against several law firms and individual lawyers that would have stripped security clearances, restricted their access to federal buildings and directed agencies to end any federal contracts with the firms and their clients.

 

“The White House campaign sent a chill through the industry. Fear of the orders also prompted other large firms to make deals with the president, promising nearly $1 billion in pro bono work for causes favored by the administration.

 

“In targeting the firms, Trump cited their connections to his political rivals and criticized their diversity initiatives and pro bono work advocating for immigrants, transgender rights and voting protections.

 

“Several firms sued to challenge the orders, arguing they were unconstitutional retaliation and an abuse of executive power. The firms said the orders would be devastating to their business and that they risked losing lucrative clients who work with the federal government.”

 

<a href="https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/03/trump-administrations-drops-defense-of-its-attempts-to-extort-biglaw" >Trump drops attack on Big Law</a>

But wait:

“The Trump administration has changed its mind on its decision to walk away from appealing its loss in lawsuits over executive orders targeted at four Big Law firms. 

 

“The Justice Department on Tuesday afternoon moved to withdraw its motion to voluntarily dismiss the appeals of its cases against Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Susman Godfrey and Jenner & Block.

 

“The motion comes after the Justice Department on Tuesday sent an email to the four law firms signaling it would file the motion to withdraw its voluntary dismissal of its appeal less than 24 hours after saying it would drop the fight, confirmed a person familiar with the emails.”

Will the real Trump Administration please stand up? This sort of flip-flop doesn’t look like an administration in control.

 

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/trump-signals-he-will-continue-court-war-on-targeted-law-firms

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