The US Department of Justice tells major law firms that their senior leaders must appear for depositions connected to agreements reached more than a year ago in response to Trump-era “capitulation” arrangements, according to reporting that frames the move as the start of a second dispute with the Trump administration. Financial Times and other outlets describe the department’s expanded use of subpoenas as part of a broader pressure campaign targeting firms associated with prior negotiations. Multiple sources say the DOJ’s renewed push comes after earlier exchanges about the scope and implications of those agreements, and that the renewed litigation posture could test how far the department can go in compelling testimony from firm leadership.
While accounts differ on some details, the common thread is that the DOJ is seeking depositions tied to conduct covered by the earlier deals and has asked firms to ensure leaders are available to testify. The outlets also note that legal questions remain about the basis for the subpoenas and what the department expects to establish through the depositions, setting up further court challenges over compliance and procedure.
