Oversight Project Files Amicus Brief in the Eleventh Circuit in Support of Blocking Disciplinary Referrals of U.S. Justice Department to Their State or Local Bars as Well as Other Discipline Imposed on President Trump’s Private Lawyers

Oversight Project Files Amicus Brief in the Eleventh Circuit in Support of Blocking Disciplinary Referrals of U.S. Justice Department to Their State or Local Bars as Well as Other Discipline Imposed on President Trump’s Private Lawyers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2026

Washington, D.C.– Today, the Oversight Project filed an amicus brief with the Holtzmann Vogel law firm and Oversight Project Vice President of Litigation Jeff Clark slamming judicial overreach by a Florida federal district court. Specifically, we filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, charging that the federal district judge in Florida weaponized the judicial system to reward a brazen political lawfare against President Donald J. Trump and associates, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the number one and number three officials inside the U.S. Justice Department.

District Judge Kathleen M. Williams exceeded her authority by imposing career-threatening sanctions against attorneys and litigants after the underlying case had already been voluntarily dismissed and settled. We maintain that this District Judge’s July 13, 2026 order is nothing less than a political communiqué masquerading as a judicial decision.

"This case represents a novel question," the brief states, "and rather than punish attorneys with harsh sanctions for advocating for their clients, we respectfully submit that a stay be granted." We warned the Eleventh Circuit that "[i]f this order stands," “it will permit federal judges to use collateral authority as a political bludgeon against disfavored parties and counsel."

We demonstrate that "lawfare against one attorney equates to lawfare against all," urging appellate review as a defense of the entire legal profession's ability to zealously advocate without fear of retaliatory discipline from bench to bar. General Blanche and General Woodward should not have been referred to the New York and District of Columbia bars for discipline.

Vice President of Litigation Jeff Clark gave this statement:

“The Judge had no jurisdiction to line up two of the highest law enforcement officials in the United States for bar discipline by Blue State and Blue City Bar apparatuses. And the District Judge took this action without providing due process, all at the behest of a group of third-party intermeddler retired judges. The whole episode is outrageous and the Eleventh Circuit must reverse this travesty of justice.”

President Mike Howell gave this statement:

“In America, political disputes should be solved at the ballot box and not through punitive measures at the courthouse. The left wants to take our best and bravest off the playing field and the Oversight Project will always step up to defend them. What was done to President Trump and his terrific legal team, including Todd Blanche and Stanley Woodward, was wrong. America needs those men on the playing field and not distracted by these pot shots so we are doing what we can to help.”

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