CAFE Insider The Legal Battles That Defined 2025
Dec 23, 2025
Join Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance as they unpack the pivotal legal battles of 2025. They candidly discuss the chaotic start involving federal employees and the shift in Elon Musk's influence. The expansion of executive power raises eyebrows, while courts push back against overreach. The hosts highlight the administration's combative tactics against judges and reflect on the human costs of policy decisions. With predictions for 2026, they underscore the need for civic engagement and hope amidst the challenges.
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Law Firms Fighting Executive Orders
- Preet recounts his law firm WilmerHale standing up against executive orders targeting law firms.
- He notes four cases where judges strongly rebuked the administration's attempts to intimidate firms.
Fight Back In Federal Court
- Stand up to executive overreach and take cases to federal court rather than appeasing.
- Joyce Vance urges litigants to resist intimidation and trust the judiciary to follow the law.
Rhetorical Assault On Trial Judges
- The administration attacks district judges vocally when preliminary rulings go against it instead of using appeals.
- Preet warns this rhetorical assault targets the one judicial layer that often blocks unlawful executive actions.