A legal army of ex-Biden officials is mounting an aggressive campaign to stop Trump’s agenda through a web of lawsuits and institutional defense.
At a Glance
- Over 200 lawsuits have challenged Trump’s policies, with 70+ rulings stalling key initiatives.
- Ex-Biden DOJ lawyers are launching or joining firms aimed at blocking Trump’s federal reforms.
- Merrick Garland and other senior officials have joined private firms litigating against Trump.
- New firms like Justice Connection and Civil Service Law Center defend federal employees.
- Traditional law firms are backing away, leaving space for a rising legal resistance front.
New Firms, Old Faces—Legal Resistance Reignited
An unprecedented wave of litigation is emerging from the legal ranks of the former Biden administration. Former DOJ officials are forming firms or joining groups like Democracy Forward to coordinate lawsuits aimed at derailing Trump’s return-era policies. Over 200 lawsuits have already been filed, with more than 70 resulting in rulings that blocked or suspended various Trump actions.
Among the architects of this new legal battleground is Jodie Morse, who now leads Democracy Forward’s litigation strategy, and Brian Netter, focused on regulatory interventions. Rachel Rossi, former Director of Biden’s Office for Access to Justice, now helms the Alliance for Justice, directing efforts to block Trump-aligned judicial appointments.
Protecting the Bureaucracy From Within
New firms are targeting Trump’s plans to reshape the federal workforce. Daniel Jacobson, former OMB Counsel, launched his own legal practice defending nonprofits and agencies facing funding cuts or policy rollbacks. His firm, staffed entirely by ex-government attorneys, has filed lawsuits to halt the dismantling of cultural and scientific institutions.
Simultaneously, two niche outfits—Justice Connection and the Civil Service Law Center—have emerged to defend federal employees from being fired under new loyalty tests and restructuring efforts. These teams, led by DOJ alumni like Clayton Bailey and Stacey Young, are leveraging deep agency knowledge to mount legal blocks against politically motivated dismissals.
Senior Officials Join Legal Barricade
The movement also includes high-profile Biden alumni. Merrick Garland has returned to Arnold & Porter, which now represents clients challenging Trump’s immigration and administrative orders. Matthew Olsen joined WilmerHale, another firm involved in constitutional litigation over federal agency control. These figures bring not just legal acumen, but symbolic weight—making their roles both legal and political.
Critics like conservative legal activist Mike Davis argue these efforts amount to sabotage, describing the lawyers as a “shadow government.” But defenders say the lawsuits are essential safeguards in an era when the rule of law and institutional continuity are under pressure.
This legal phalanx could define the next four years—not just through court decisions, but by shaping how American governance is contested and constrained.
