Donald Trump's attack on courts escalates with request to boot judge from law firm case

WASHINGTON – In an escalation of the Trump administration's attacks connected courts, the Justice Department connected Friday asked for the justice who ruled against it implicit an enforcement bid targeting instrumentality steadfast Perkins Coie to beryllium disqualified, questioning her impartiality.

"In this case, tenable observers whitethorn good presumption this Court arsenic insufficiently impartial to adjudicate the meritless challenges to President Trump’s efforts to instrumentality the docket that the American radical elected him to transportation out," according to the Justice Department's motion.

On March 12, D.C. national territory Judge Beryl Howell enactment a impermanent halt connected respective restrictions from Trump's March 6 enforcement bid targeting the instrumentality firm, which represented Hillary Clinton during her failed statesmanlike bid successful 2016. The order directed national agencies to terminate contracts with Perkins Coie and halt information clearances for its employees.

"I americium definite galore successful the ineligible assemblage are watching successful fearfulness astir what Perkins Coie is going done here," Howell said astatine a March 12 proceeding successful the case.

The Friday question argued that Howell has repeatedly shown animus toward Trump.

"Examples see this Court enabling the improper efforts of disgraced erstwhile authoritative Jack Smith," the DOJ question argued. Smith led 2 prosecutions against Trump, but dropped the charges aft Trump won the 2024 election.

The question escalates a increasing onslaught by Trump and his allies, including starring Republicans, connected judges, who person has questioned the lawfulness of Trump enforcement actions successful respective cases.

Hours aft Trump called for a justice who ruled against him to beryllium impeached successful a Tuesday Truth Social post, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a uncommon rebuke.

“For much than 2 centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an due effect to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The mean appellate reappraisal process exists for that purpose," Roberts said.

Trump declined to backmost down from his impeachment telephone successful an interrogation with Fox News' Laura Ingraham aboriginal connected Tuesday.

"We person precise atrocious judges, and these are judges that shouldn't beryllium allowed," Trump said. "I deliberation astatine a definite constituent you person to commencement looking astatine what bash you bash erstwhile you person a rogue judge."

Trump continued to assail judges handling respective of his administration's cases successful a Thursday Truth Social post.

"If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court bash not hole this toxic and unprecedented concern IMMEDIATELY, our Country is successful precise superior trouble!" helium said.

Contributing: Reuters

This nonfiction primitively appeared connected USA TODAY: DOJ wants justice successful instrumentality steadfast lawsuit booted, escalating onslaught connected courts