Judge Howell Cites First Amendment as Law Firms Capitulate to DOJ Threats

Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia cited First Amendment concerns as major law firms negotiated settlements with the Trump Justice Department to avoid executive orders revoking their federal building access and security clearances. Several firms agreed to perform pro bono legal work valued at over $1 billion combined in exchange for withdrawal of punitive orders targeting their practices. Judge Howell warned publicly that law firm capitulation threatened judicial independence.