Trump DOJ Legal Push Fuels Court Trust Crisis and Judge Attacks

WHO:

CNN - President Trump said he wanted the Alaska election lawsuit filed and later said, “I’m the one that said do it.”

Alternet - Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg said the lawsuit had “zero basis in the law”; former Georgia elections official Gabriel Sterling called it “politically moronic.”

Daily Kos - Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan said the court had “created a democracy that does not work as well as it should.”

CNN - Attorney General Todd Blanche previously worked with Stanley Woodward on legal defenses related to Trump; Blanche represented Trump personally, while Woodward represented Walt Nauta in the classified-documents case.

CNN - Woodward’s former clients also included Walt Nauta, whom he represented in the classified-documents case.

CNN - Stanley Woodward said his previous work on Peter Navarro’s criminal contempt of Congress case informed his understanding of executive privilege.

France 24 - Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, said the Justice Department “should never have filed this lawsuit.”

France 24 - Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola said the ballot leaves “just isn’t much room for confusion” and that the lawsuit suggests Dan S. Sullivan does not believe Alaskans are sophisticated enough to know whom they are voting for.

France 24 - Dan J. Sullivan, a former U.S. Forest Service worker and elementary school teacher, denied that he intended to cause confusion or divert votes from Senator Dan S. Sullivan.

CNN - Ed O’Callaghan, a Justice Department official during Trump’s first administration, said the associate attorney general can have substantial discretion over how to exercise the office’s authority.

CNN - Laura Loomer attacked Woodward over his handling of Camp Lejeune veterans’ claims and settlements; she has also criticized his past ties to Democrats. A Justice Department spokesperson said the department’s work on the settlements and veterans’ protections was “in lock step” with the Pentagon and White House.

CNN - At a federal-courts retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia, Woodward tried to speak with former Biden administration Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta. Matt Olsen, a former national security attorney in Democratic administrations, told Woodward he thought he was “a disgrace to his job.”

Alternet - Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg called the Alaska lawsuit a “real desperation play” with “zero basis in the law.” Former Georgia elections official Gabriel Sterling called it “politically moronic.”

Alternet - Former Arizona election official Stephen Richer said Republicans risk political consequences if they oppose Trump on election issues.

CNN - Stanley Woodward is the associate attorney general, the Justice Department’s third-highest-ranking official. He previously served as a White House attorney for Trump and represented Trump associates, including Kash Patel, Dan Scavino, Peter Navarro and Walt Nauta.

CNN - Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Woodward, calling him “a patriot who is fighting for POTUS and the American people every day” and “one of DOJ’s best fighters.”

CNN - U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes oversaw the East Potomac golf course case. Judges Patrick Schlitz and John Tunheim oversee immigration cases in Minnesota.

Alternet - Reyes was appointed by Joe Biden. Alternet reported that she had ruled for Trump’s administration in multiple cases; it cited The Hill’s accounts of cases involving fired inspectors general, asylum applicants’ information and a proposed eviction-notice rule.

Alternet - Other judges involved in the reported disputes include Timothy Kelly, Paula Xinis and James Boasberg. Constitutional law professor David Schultz and retired federal judge Jeremy Fogel commented on judicial trust.

WHAT:

NBC News - Attorneys for Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and Senate Democrats filed a motion asking a federal judge to dismiss the DOJ’s challenge to the Senate race.

Daily Kos - A federal judge ordered President Trump to sit for a BBC deposition no later than Dec. 11, unless the parties extend discovery beyond its Dec. 18 deadline. Trump is also seeking to block the BBC from subpoenaing former special counsel Jack Smith.

Daily Kos - The administration asked the Supreme Court to erase an injunction blocking its border-security project in Big Bend National Park, Texas.

Daily Kos - A federal court ruled against the Office of Personnel Management over its transfer of data on tens of millions of federal employees and prospective employees to DOGE agents.

France 24 - The DOJ filed its Alaska election lawsuit in federal court in Anchorage.

France 24 - The lawsuit alleges Dan J. Sullivan Jr. is running “with the intention of misleading supporters of Senator Sullivan into voting for him.”

France 24 - The lawsuit comes amid administration efforts to obtain voter-registration data from states and calls for stricter election measures; critics view the efforts as federal overreach.

Alternet - The Supreme Court agreed with Trump’s position in Deirdre Hamilton’s case, overturning a 91-year precedent that limited the president’s ability to remove certain board members.

Daily Kos - A magistrate judge ordered Trump to sit for a BBC deposition no later than Dec. 11, unless the parties extend discovery beyond its current Dec. 18 deadline.

Daily Kos - Trump is seeking to block the BBC from subpoenaing former special counsel Jack Smith in Trump’s $10 billion defamation case.

Daily Kos - The administration asked the Supreme Court to erase an injunction blocking its border-security project in Big Bend National Park.

Daily Kos - A federal court ruled against the Office of Personnel Management over its transfer of data on tens of millions of current, former and prospective federal employees to DOGE agents.

CNN - Woodward said his work on Peter Navarro’s criminal contempt case in 2023 informed his understanding of executive privilege.

CNN - Woodward attended the D.C. federal courts’ Circuit Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia, this spring.

CNN - Woodward’s Camp Lejeune work involved veterans’ claims arising from decades of water contamination at the Marine Corps base.

Alternet - Judge Ana Reyes told government attorneys, “You did your absolute worst,” regarding their efforts to notify the court before tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links.

Alternet - The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund sued the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, alleging the government shared information about Iranians applying for asylum; Reyes did not grant its request for an expedited injunction. The Justice Department later moved to dismiss the case.

Alternet - In a dispute over HUD’s proposed repeal of a 30-day tenant eviction-notice rule, HUD said it would delay the rule “indefinitely” and described it as a “proposal.”

France 24 - The lawsuit names Alaska and local election officials as defendants. It asks a judge to block certification of an outcome that “may be impacted by voter confusion” and allow an investigation into whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were intended for Senator Dan S. Sullivan.

France 24 - Dan J. Sullivan filed to run on May 29. The Alaska Supreme Court permitted him to appear on the ballot in June; he will appear without a party designation, while the incumbent will be listed as the Republican.

France 24 - Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller wrote that the lawsuit was “designed to win the press release rather than the litigation” and called its legal argument “one of the worst ones I’ve ever seen.”

France 24 - David Becker of the Center for Election Innovation and Research said the administration has no authority to dictate Alaska’s Senate-election certification and that the issue had already been litigated by Alaska’s courts.

CNN - Woodward said he does not speak to Trump directly about official executive-privilege assertions; a Justice Department spokesperson clarified that Woodward does meet and speak with Trump.

CNN - During the hearing, Reyes sustained an objection after Woodward cited executive privilege, confidentiality of government deliberations or attorney-client communications. Reyes told him, “Ok, you’re getting good at this.”

Alternet - Reyes declined to intervene in a challenge to the administration’s handling of asylum applicants’ information and did not issue an injunction after the administration reversed plans to close certain Homeland Security civil-liberties offices.

Alternet - Reyes found Trump violated the law when he fired inspectors general without the required notice to Congress, but ruled she lacked power to reinstate them.

Alternet - The Supreme Court overturned a 91-year precedent in a case involving the firing of National Mediation Board member Deirdre Hamilton; Reyes had paused Hamilton’s case pending that ruling.

Alternet - Politico reported that four Republican statewide election officials declined to comment on the Alaska lawsuit, while the others contacted did not respond.

CNN - Woodward signed and argued an Alaska election lawsuit seeking potentially to block certification if the incumbent Republican candidate loses. An assistant U.S. attorney also submitted and signed the filing.

CNN - Woodward argued in Reyes’ golf course case about what government witnesses could disclose concerning Trump’s plans. He objected to questions on executive privilege, government deliberations and attorney-client communications.

CNN - Woodward sought Reyes’ recusal, alleging bias and describing her courtroom demeanor as “histrionics.” He separately sought recusal of Schlitz and Tunheim, citing their public criticism of the administration’s immigration enforcement.

CNN - Woodward’s East Wing ballroom filings called the plaintiffs’ work “very bad for our country,” described the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s name as “FAKE,” and called the case “terrible, tremendously harmful.”

Alternet - Reyes rebuked DOJ lawyers after more than 400 trees were removed from East Potomac Golf Links; the article also reports more than 500. She rejected the DOJ’s request that she leave the case. The administration said the removal followed an older landscaping plan and was separate from Trump’s proposed renovation.

Alternet - Judge Kelly blocked restrictions on White House access for reporters from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, finding they likely violated the First Amendment. Judge Xinis required 30 days’ advance notice before activation of a portal involving state citizenship lists. Judge Boasberg pursued a contempt investigation over deportation flights to El Salvador despite an order restricting them.

Alternet - Trump called Reyes a “crazed lunatic” and said she was “freaking out” over death threats. Reyes said, “A federal judge is getting death threats over a golf course.”

WHERE:

CNN - The election lawsuit concerns Alaska; the golf course litigation is in Washington, D.C.; the immigration cases involving Schlitz and Tunheim are in Minnesota.

Alternet - The tree removal occurred at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C.

WHY:

France 24 - The Alaska lawsuit is part of an administration effort to challenge potential election outcomes; election officials told Reuters they are preparing for federal legal challenges and voting disputes that could disrupt certification.

CNN - Woodward said he took the lead in court because “Someone is going to have to take responsibility for what is said in court,” after a Justice Department lawyer could not or would not answer Reyes’ questions.

Alternet - Sterling said claims of stolen elections and cheating could suppress Republican turnout and encourage opposing voters. He said the lawsuits could lay groundwork for a later claim that Republicans would have won had the lawsuits succeeded.

Alternet - Judges’ disputes with the DOJ have raised questions about whether government lawyers can be trusted to follow court orders, eroding the presumption that officials act lawfully and in good faith.

Alternet - Xinis’s advance-notice requirement was intended to preserve judicial review amid threats of election interference.

HOW:

CNN - Woodward said, “That’s why I’m here! He knows the law. Yell at me, not him,” after Judge Ana Reyes said a Justice Department lawyer was unable or unwilling to answer her questions.

CNN - During the East Potomac hearing, Woodward was accompanied by at least eight other Justice Department lawyers and officials.

CNN - O’Callaghan said some past associate attorneys general, including Kevin O’Connor during the George W. Bush administration, chose to argue cases in court, including federal appellate arguments.

CNN - Woodward said, “It’s difficult to put my colleague in a position of contradicting the president.” During Reyes’ hearing, he told her, “Yell at me, not him.”

Alternet - Fogel said the administration’s view was that “the most important thing is to win”; experts said reduced trust could lead courts to demand more evidence and documentation.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 05:00 UTC)

The Justice Department’s lawsuit over Alaska’s Senate race is facing a dismissal motion from Democratic candidate Mary Peltola and Senate Democrats. The suit alleges Dan J. Sullivan is misleading voters who may intend to support Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, and asks a judge to block certification while the issue is investigated. President Trump said he wanted the lawsuit filed and later took responsibility for the decision. Republican election lawyer Ben Ginsberg called the case baseless, while Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said the Justice Department should never have filed it. Elsewhere, a federal judge ordered Trump to sit for a BBC deposition by Dec. 11, unless the parties extend discovery. Trump is also seeking to block the BBC from subpoenaing former special counsel Jack Smith.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 02:18 UTC)

The Justice Department has sued Alaska over a Senate candidate whose name resembles incumbent Dan Sullivan’s, alleging he intends to mislead voters. The lawsuit asks a judge to block certification if confusion may have affected the result and to investigate votes for Daniel J. Sullivan. The Alaska Supreme Court allowed the challenger onto the ballot without a party label, while the incumbent is listed as a Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski said the department should never have filed the case, and Democratic candidate Mary Peltola said the ballot leaves little room for confusion. The challenger denies trying to divert votes. Election-law critics called the lawsuit legally baseless and politically desperate, while an election expert said federal officials cannot dictate Alaska’s certification. The case comes amid wider federal efforts to obtain voter data and impose stricter election measures, which critics call overreach.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 01:25 UTC)

Justice Department official Stanley Woodward has become central to disputes involving courts, executive privilege and elections. The department’s third-highest-ranking official, Woodward previously represented President Trump and several Trump associates, including Walt Nauta and Peter Navarro. He says his work on Navarro’s criminal contempt case shaped his understanding of executive privilege, which he invoked during a hearing before Judge Ana Reyes. Woodward also sought Reyes’s recusal and challenged other judges overseeing immigration cases. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended him as a strong advocate for Trump and the public. Woodward signed a lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election result if it may have been affected by voter confusion. The suit questions votes for candidate Dan J. Sullivan, whose name is similar to incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski criticized the lawsuit, while election experts and legal figures questioned its legal basis.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 21:01 UTC)

Justice Department official Stanley Woodward has taken a prominent role in disputes involving the Trump administration, including signing and arguing a lawsuit seeking to potentially block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results. The case concerns Daniel J. Sullivan, whose name appears on the ballot alongside Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said the Justice Department should never have filed the suit, while election-law experts called its legal basis weak. Woodward has also argued executive privilege in a case before Judge Ana Reyes, who rebuked government lawyers over tree removal at East Potomac Golf Links and rejected their request that she step aside. Woodward said his past work on Peter Navarro’s contempt case informed his understanding of privilege. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended him, while critics questioned his conduct and political ties. The disputes have intensified concerns about judicial independence and the administration’s use of federal authority.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 19:03 UTC)

A Justice Department lawsuit in Alaska seeks to block certification of a Senate election result if officials believe confusion over similar names affected the vote. The filing targets state and local election officials and seeks an investigation into whether votes for Daniel J. Sullivan were meant for Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan. The Alaska Supreme Court allowed Daniel Sullivan onto the ballot without a party label; the incumbent is listed as a Republican. Senator Lisa Murkowski said the department should never have filed the case, while candidate Mary Peltola said the ballot leaves little room for confusion. Daniel Sullivan denied trying to mislead voters. Election-law experts and former officials called the case legally baseless or politically desperate, and said the federal government lacks authority over Alaska’s certification.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 17:04 UTC)

Justice Department official Stanley Woodward is facing scrutiny over his role in an Alaska election lawsuit and disputes with federal judges. The associate attorney general, the department’s third-highest-ranking official, signed and argued a case that could block certification if the Republican incumbent loses. Republican election officials and lawyers criticized the lawsuit, with one calling it a desperate move without legal basis. Woodward also sought the recusal of judges overseeing cases involving Trump’s golf course plans and immigration enforcement, while defending limits on what government witnesses could reveal. In a hearing, Judge Ana Reyes sustained an objection and remarked that Woodward was getting good at invoking privilege. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended him, while a Justice Department spokesperson said the department’s veterans’ settlement work was coordinated with the Pentagon and White House. The disputes have sharpened concerns about trust between courts and the administration, and whether officials will follow judicial orders.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 10:58 UTC)

A Justice Department official’s clashes with federal judges are intensifying concerns about trust between the courts and the administration. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the department’s third-highest-ranking official, signed and argued an Alaska lawsuit that could block election certification if the Republican incumbent loses. In Washington, he challenged Judge Ana Reyes over what government witnesses could disclose about President Trump’s plans for an East Potomac golf course, and sought her recusal, accusing her of bias. Reyes rejected the request after the government removed hundreds of trees at the course; the administration said the work followed an older landscaping plan. Woodward also sought the recusal of two Minnesota judges over their criticism of immigration enforcement. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended him as a patriot fighting for the president and the public.