NEW: A watchdog group asked a judge to issue an emergency order that the Trump admin preserve records of calls with foreign leaders. At a hearing today, DOJ wouldn't immediately make a voluntary assurance to keep the status quo, to the judge's puzzlement buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…
The underlying case was filed in May, accusing the Trump admin of violating recordkeeping laws re: Trump's and senior officials' comms with foreign leaders. The plaintiffs today asked for an emergency preservation order in light of ~ recent events ~ buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…
At today's hearing, the judge repeatedly questioned why the govt couldn't just give a voluntary assurance to preserve the status quo. That would avoid her having to address the TRO and formally issue a ruling that one side "might not appreciate," she said buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…
The parties were already in the middle of briefing the govt's motion to dismiss. DOJ is arguing the court lacks jurisdiction, and the DOJ lawyer today expressed concern that giving any kind of record preservation assurance would be conceding something buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…
