A string of recent moves by the current administration—including federal layoffs, prosecutorial shifts, and regulatory changes—raises legal and constitutional questions about the evolving relationship between the executive branch and the rule of law.

Senator Dick Durbin has said the messages appear to support claims that the Trump administration defied court orders.

The U.S. government's decision to appeal the Perkins Coie ruling could foreshadow its next move in the other three law firm executive order cases.