President Donald Trump briefly addressed reporters as he departed the White House on February 27, 2026, amid reports that his administration has chosen to abandon its legal battles against four major law firms linked to Democratic figures.
The decision marks a reversal in what critics had described as a prolonged campaign against the firms — Perkins Coie, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. The administration had previously sought to restrict their access to federal agencies and government facilities, but federal judges in Washington, DC, blocked those efforts last year.
Trump had openly expressed resentment toward certain attorneys at the firms who had either investigated him or opposed him politically. In response, he attempted to leverage executive authority to bar the firms’ lawyers from entering federal buildings, accessing classified materials, or attending official meetings — measures that would have significantly hampered their ability to operate in Washington’s legal environment.
Over the weekend, the firms were reportedly informed that the administration would no longer pursue its appeals in the cases. Although filings had been expected at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, the Justice Department has now opted to withdraw its challenges. A spokesperson declined to provide further comment.
The cases were widely viewed as among the most aggressive examples of political retaliation, as they targeted prominent law firms with longstanding ties to Democratic administrations. While some firms under similar pressure chose to negotiate with the administration and adjust their pro bono priorities — shifting from liberal to more conservative causes — the contested executive orders ultimately failed in court.
Despite those legal setbacks, observers note that the broader climate has had a chilling effect. Several high-profile Justice Department attorneys from the Biden and Obama eras have reportedly faced greater difficulty securing positions at large firms, with some opting instead to establish smaller independent practices.