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The Supreme Court on Friday requested responses from plaintiffs by 4:00 pm on April 4 to the government’s request for the Supreme Court to lift the nationwide injunctions blocking the administration from implementing President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. See yesterday’s Roundup for background and commentary. (Order.) (Commentary from Steve Vladeck, Bluesky.)
A three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday lifted a district court nationwide injunction that had blocked the administration from implementing two executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at federal agencies and government contractors. Each of the three judges issued concurring opinions accompanying the court’s order. (Order and opinions.) (Politico.)
President Trump on Friday issued an executive order targeting another law firm. This time, it’s Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Among other measures, the executive order directs agency heads to “immediately take steps consistent with applicable law to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss” pending review, and directs federal agencies to review the contracts they have with the firm and consider termination. (Executive Order.) (NYT.)
The administration on Friday asked a district court to reconsider its order to the U.S. DOGE Service to process Freedom of Information Act requests and to take related actions responsive to those requests. The government also requested on Friday that the court direct expedited briefing on DOGE’s forthcoming motion for summary judgment. (Motion and memorandum in support.)
“We’re turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization and surrender to violent criminals, and we’re restoring fair, equal and impartial justice,” President Trump said in an hour-long speech at the Justice Department yesterday. (NYT.) (Commentary from Jeffrey Toobin, NYT.)
The American Civil Liberties Union early this morning filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to preemptively challenge the government’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act for deportation purposes. Plaintiffs also filed an emergency application for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration’s actions under the Alien Enemies Act. See yesterday’s Roundup for background and commentary. (Just Security.) (Complaint.) (Application for TRO.) (Proposed TRO.)
David Ignatius analyzed the national security implications of the Trump administration’s firings and reassignments at the Justice Department. (The Washington Post.)