The opinion was drafted by Judge Carl Stewart, who was appointed by Clinton, and Judge James Stewart, another Clinton nominee. District Judge Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale, appointed by President George W. Bush, wrote a disagreement over the majority’s interpretation of the CSRA. The lawyers for the defendants in the order did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on whether they planned to appeal against the decision of the 5th circuit. If they do, they could refer the case directly to the Supreme Court or bring it before the appellate court, which is dominated by conservative judges. The claim has been pending since the national order was issued in January by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown, appointed by Trump. Brown’s order blocking the order came after several other federal judges across the country had rejected similar allegations. This story has been updated with additional details.
