Lawyers Thrive Amid Trump-Era Legal Battles in Washington

A federal judge dismissed a case seeking to force Hunter Biden to register as a foreign agent for Ukraine and China. The suit came from a group founded by White House official Stephen Miller, which lacked standing.

Biden needed a lawyer, as he did during criminal proceedings that ended in a guilty plea before his father pardoned him.

The Justice Department plans to ask the Supreme Court to intervene in Donald Trump's appeal of an $83 million defamation verdict from writer E. Jean Carroll. She needed a lawyer. Trump has lawyers from the Justice Department, which often acts like his private firm. The appeal could end her case.

Trump needed lawyers out of office for four criminal investigations. He required attorneys during two impeachments, and House investigating committees hired their own.

Trump engineered charges against fired FBI Director James Comey, who hired a lawyer until the case was dropped. Trump triggered a second indictment over a 86 by 47 seashell photo, so Comey needs a lawyer again. New York Attorney General Letitia James faced an indictment that was tossed out.

Trump yesterday called Hakeem Jeffries a "lunatic" and said he should be charged with inciting violence. Trump linked Jeffries' rhetoric to a third assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Jeffries had called for "maximum warfare" to gain seats in redistricting fights.

Trump sued the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS and ABC, among other media outlets.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a review of local station licenses tied to Disney/ABC after calling for Jimmy Kimmel's firing. The review could last years and is unlikely to succeed.

FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million suit against the Atlantic over a profile questioning his office conduct and drinking habits.

House members Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resigned over sexual misconduct allegations to avoid expulsion and needed legal advice. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned after conviction for stealing $5 million in FEMA funds.

DOGE, think tanks, unions and environmental groups all have lawyers. Big Tech companies have boosted their Washington legal presence amid ties to the Trump administration.

Ousted Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer faces investigation by her department's inspector general.

Trump fires prosecutors he views as not aggressive enough and replaces them with new ones.

Pro-life groups sued to block mail-order access to the abortion pill mifepristone but won only a temporary Supreme Court ruling.

Washington draws lawyers for its federal agencies, Capitol Hill staff and lobbyists. The city now sees more legal action than ever, with endless appeals.