Judge Howell Rejects DOJ Bid to Recuse from Trump, Perkins Coie Case

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell has rejected the Trump administration's request to disqualify her from overseeing a lawsuit involving Perkins Coie, a law firm targeted by the president's executive order. Howell criticized the Justice Department's motion as an attempt to undermine her integrity with 'ad hominem attacks,' rather than addressing the substantive legal arguments. She previously issued a temporary restraining order against the enforcement of Trump's order, which restricted access for Perkins Coie employees to federal buildings and threatened their government contracts. The Justice Department argued that Howell displayed bias against Trump, citing her past comments implying authoritarianism related to him. Howell emphasized that all litigants deserve a fair hearing and that her rulings should not be misconstrued as bias. The case reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and legal institutions over perceived political motives.