In a rare appearance at the Department of Justice headquarters, President Donald Trump addressed the lawyers responsible for defending his policies in over 120 court cases. This week has been particularly tough for some of these attorneys, as judges have shown skepticism towards the government's arguments in several cases.
For instance, during a hearing on the Pentagon's ban on transgender service members, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes questioned a DOJ lawyer about the implications of the policy on individuals with gender dysphoria. The attorney struggled to respond when asked if the policy was demeaning. Furthermore, Reyes criticized the DOJ team for not having read the scientific studies cited in support of the ban.
In another case concerning mass government layoffs, a Maryland judge ordered the reinstatement of about 20,000 employees after a DOJ lawyer failed to provide specific numbers on the terminations. Judge James Bredar pressed the attorney for details, but the lawyer was unable to give an estimate.
During a hearing on an executive order against the law firm Perkins Coie, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, defended the policy that barred the firm's lawyers from government buildings. Judge Beryl Howell expressed concern over the broad implications of Mizelle's arguments, questioning the extent of presidential power in such matters.
In his speech at the Justice Department, Trump accused media outlets and the Democratic Party of conspiring against his administration, urging DOJ lawyers to stand firm. He labeled those opposing him in court as "horrible people" and "scum," encouraging the attorneys to remain steadfast in their legal battles. This visit marked a significant shift from the traditional separation between the Justice Department and the White House, a norm established post-Watergate to ensure DOJ's independence in criminal matters.