Trump WH Seeks to Disqualify Judge in Law Firm Case

The Trump's administration on Friday asked the federal judge overseeing a challenge to President Donald Trump's executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie to step aside from the case, accusing her of a "pattern of hostility" toward the president.

Justice Department attorneys said the impartiality of U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, a Barack Obama appointee, might "reasonably be questioned." They cited her past rulings against Trump and remarks in cases against his supporters arising from the events of Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol.

"This Court has not kept its disdain for President Trump secret," the attorneys wrote in a court filing. "It has voiced its thoughts loudly — both inside and outside the courtroom."

Howell last week temporarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing much of its order against Perkins Coie, finding it likely violated the U.S. Constitution. The order reportedly calls for limiting firm employees' access to federal buildings, a review of their security clearances and terminating any government contracts of its clients. 

Trump's executive order detailed how, when working for Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS, which then manufactured the Steele dossier which was designed to embarrass Trump's campaign. The order states the dossier was part of a pattern where Perkins Coie "has worked with activist donors including George Soros to judicially overturn popular, necessary, and democratically enacted election laws, including those requiring voter identification."

The Trump administration has escalated its criticism of federal judges in recent weeks as courts have at times sought to rein in Trump's use of presidential power.