Justice Department backs down on immigration, digs in on Obamacare

[Geee]

Washington Times:

The Justice Department has begun to suspend court cases over immigration policy, moving to give the Trump administration a chance to weigh in on the legal strategy, but it refused Tuesday to halt the challenge to Obamacare, suggesting it will try to go to the mat to protect the president’s signature achievement.

 

Legal analysts said it’s traditional for the outgoing administration to accommodate the new president, particularly in areas where major policy changes are likely. That makes the administration’s refusal to halt the Obamacare lawsuit all the more striking, the analysts said.

House Republicans, who have won a district court ruling against Obamacare, asked for the halt in an appeals court filing Monday, saying it made sense to give Donald Trump a chance to weigh in.

 

“In light of public statements by the president-elect and his campaign, there is at least a significant possibility of a meaningful change in policy in the new administration that could either obviate the need for resolution of this appeal or affect the nature and scope of the issues,” the House said in its brief.

 

But the attorneys said Mr. Obama and his team “do not consent.”