This Day in Legal History: Salmon P. Chase Dies
On May 7, 1873, Salmon P. Chase—former Chief Justice of the United States and one of the most prominent legal minds of his generation—died at the age of 65. Chase was a towering figure in antebellum legal and political life, best known for his ardent antislavery positions and constitutional rigor. A fierce abolitionist, he earned the nickname “Attorney General for Runaway Slaves” for his pro bono work defending fugitives in Ohio. Decades before the Civil War, Chase and Abraham Lincoln had crossed paths not as allies, but as legal adversaries. In an 1855 Illinois case—Effie Afton v. Rock Island Bridge Company—Chase represented steamboat interests, while Lincoln defended the nascent railroad industry; the trial featured two future titans on opposite sides of a commercial dispute that mirrored the country’s growing sectional divisions.
Despite their early courtroom rivalry and later competing candidacies for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination, Lincoln recognized Chase’s legal acumen and political influence. He appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, where Chase proved instrumental in financing the Union war effort and creating a national banking system. Ever ambitious, Chase maneuvered politically from within Lincoln’s cabinet, seeking the presidency even as he served. In 1864, Lincoln elevated Chase to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, where he presided over pivotal Reconstruction-era cases and the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson.
As Chief Justice, Chase dissented in Bradwell v. Illinois and the Slaughter-House Cases, signaling a broader vision for the Fourteenth Amendment than the Court ultimately embraced. His dissents advocated for civil rights and economic fairness at a time when the Court was beginning to retreat from radical Reconstruction. Chase died on May 7, 1873, after collapsing in New York, ending a career that spanned law, finance, politics, and constitutional interpretation.
A federal judge struck down an executive order by President Donald Trump targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, ruling it violated the First Amendment and due process protections. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell found the order to be retaliatory, noting it was motivated by the firm’s past legal work and its association with political opponents, including Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. The ruling relied heavily on Trump’s own public comments—more than 20 of which were cited in the lawsuit—including social media posts and statements made during official events. These remarks, spanning from 2017 through his current term, were used to show the administration's intent to punish the firm for its perceived political stance.
Trump’s directive revoked security clearances for the firm’s lawyers, blocked federal contracts, and limited their access to government officials. Howell emphasized that the problem wasn’t Trump’s personal criticisms but the official actions taken against the firm based on those views. The case illustrates how Trump’s characteristic unfiltered commentary undermined legal defenses by revealing the political motivations behind executive actions. Howell also cited similar coercive behavior toward other major law firms, some of which made significant concessions to avoid being targeted. Legal experts noted that this ruling could influence outcomes in related cases involving other firms.
How Trump's own words helped him lose a fight with law firm Perkins Coie | Reuters
Samsung Electronics announced that its subsidiary, Harman International, will acquire the audio business of U.S.-based Masimo for $350 million. The move is aimed at bolstering Samsung’s position in the global consumer audio market, which is projected to grow from $60.8 billion in 2025 to $70 billion by 2029. The company emphasized that integrating Masimo’s audio operations with Harman will enhance its sound technology offerings and create synergies across its mobile, TV, and home appliance divisions. The deal aligns with Samsung’s broader strategy to pursue significant mergers and acquisitions to address investor concerns and drive growth. Samsung reaffirmed its commitment to delivering concrete M&A outcomes during its annual shareholder meeting in March.
Samsung Electronics says unit Harman acquires Masimo's audio business for $350 mln | Reuters
A growing number of wealthy defendants are pursuing pardons from President Donald Trump, some spending over $1 million on legal teams, lobbyists, and consultants to improve their chances. The pardon process under Trump’s second term has become informal and politically charged, with access and loyalty appearing to play major roles in who receives clemency. Business figures such as Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corp., have successfully received pardons after building political connections, contributing to Trump’s campaign, and framing their prosecutions as examples of a weaponized justice system.
Traditional channels for clemency through the Justice Department have largely been bypassed, replaced by direct appeals to the White House and advocacy from influential allies. Lawyers well-connected to Trump’s circle are reportedly charging premium fees to prepare pardon bids. High-profile figures including crypto executives Sam Bankman-Fried and Roger Ver, as well as media entrepreneur Carlos Watson, have sought or secured relief through this unofficial route. Trump’s administration claims it is correcting injustices, but critics argue the system now favors those with money and political ties.
Lawyers Are Quoting $1 Million in Fees to Get Pardons to Trump
A federal judge in Rhode Island has blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with layoffs at three small federal agencies, issuing a preliminary injunction against a March 14 executive order that aimed to eliminate or drastically reduce the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Chief Judge John McConnell ruled that the order was likely unlawful, calling it “arbitrary and capricious” and in conflict with the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing Congress’s authority to make laws and allocate funding.
The coalition of states challenging the order argued the closures would cause immediate harm, and McConnell agreed, noting that MBDA had essentially been reduced to zero staff, making it impossible to administer its programs. The ruling rejected the administration’s claim that the harms were merely speculative and emphasized that irreparable harm had already occurred. The judge also denied a request by the Trump administration to delay enforcement of the injunction. The legal fight is ongoing, but the decision represents a significant obstacle to Trump’s broader efforts to restructure the federal government by executive order.
Trump Must Halt Layoffs at Three Small Agencies, Judge Says (1)
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