The February 8 TRO’s restrained class includes “political appointees” and “special government employees.” Fox News, on or about February 9, 2025, reported that the order sparked concern Secretary Scott Bessent could also be locked out, and quoted The Federalist’s Margot Cleveland calling the order, at best, “hopelessly ambiguous.” That is reporting of a commentator’s characterization. It is not a court finding.
The Federalist published standalone commentary on the same TRO, including “Judge Didn’t Even Read Final Complaint Before Enjoining Trump” (Feb. 13, 2025) and “Trump Need Not Bend To 19 AGs Trying To Thwart His Treasury” (Feb. 14, 2025). Those pieces are commentary. They are not the docket.
The Epoch Times reported that on February 9 the administration urged the court to dissolve, clarify, or modify the order, arguing it could be read to cover all political leadership within Treasury, including the Secretary. Newsmax reported a Justice Department memorandum arguing the order “is a remarkable intrusion on the Executive Branch.” Those are the parties’ filings as reported. This page does not invent the memorandum’s docket number beyond what those articles describe.
Judge Jeannette A. Vargas — the assigned judge — later modified the TRO’s reach as to Senate-confirmed Treasury officers. That modification is hers. See the next post. Do not attribute Vargas’s text to Engelmayer.