Judge refuses to allow DOJ to change counsel in a census case



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A federal judge in New York denied the Justice Department's efforts to change its legal team as part of a fight against President Trump's pressure to add a citizenship status question to the 2020 census, lack of a sufficient explanation.

"The defendants provide no reason, let alone" satisfactory reasons "for the replacement of a council," wrote US District Judge Jesse Furman, who chairs one of three lawsuits aimed at to preserve the question of census citizenship.

Furman stated that any future motion to withdraw should be supported by a signed and sworn affidavit.

"Any new application for discontinuance must be supported by a signed and sworn affidavit of each board seeking its withdrawal (1) stating" sufficient grounds "to withdraw at this stage of the litigation and (2) in light of the next application for leave to appeal. plaintiffs' sanctions … confirming that he (a) he or she submits to the jurisdiction of this Court with respect to this motion and all future motions (or orders in justification) concerning sanctions and (b) it will be available in the event that the Court needs its presence at any future hearing regarding such motions or orders. If a new motion is filed, the new defendant's attorney will also file an affidavit providing unequivocal assurances that the replacement of the lawyer will not delay the continuation of the litigation in this case (or any related future case), "wrote Furman.

Furman is nominated by former President Barack Obama, a piece of history that President Trump used to criticize the judge's decision. "So now, Obama's appointed judge for the census (Are you a citizen of the United States?) Will not let the Department of Justice call on the lawyers he wants to use." it's a first? " Trump tweeted Tuesday night.

The decision came one day after Justice Ministry spokeswoman Kerri Kupec announced that the GM had replaced her legal team in the judicial fight against the census. "As will be reflected tomorrow in the records relating to census cases, the Justice Department is now entrusting these matters to a new team of civil division lawyers," Kupec said in a statement.

"Since the beginning of these cases, US attorneys have spent countless hours defending the Department of Commerce and have consistently demonstrated the highest professionalism, integrity and skill at the US Department of Commerce. Inside and outside the courtroom, "Kupec said. "The Attorney General appreciates this service, thanks them for their work on these important issues and is confident that the new team will continue its activities in the same exemplary fashion as business evolves."

The attempt by the Justice and Trade Departments to add the issue was overturned by a recent Supreme Court decision 5-on-4. After the Supreme Court blocked what it called "artificial" efforts to Adding the question of citizenship, it seemed that the Trump administration had given up, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and DOJ said last week that the Census Bureau would print the forms without the question.

But Trump tweeted that he had asked the departments of Commerce and Justice "to do all that was necessary to carry out this vital question and this very important matter".

Shortly after the Justice Department announced the formation of a new legal team, Attorney General William Barr boasted of a new legal strategy to add a question on citizenship status to 2020 census. "I think in the next few days you will see what approach we take," Barr told reporters Monday in South Carolina. "And I think that provides a way to get the census question."

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