One of President Trump’s campaign themes was ending diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) programs, and he moved quickly to address those campaign promises. Within days of his inauguration, the president issued two executive orders (EOs) overhauling how the federal government views programs seeking to advance DEI priorities.
Continue Reading Implementation of Trump DEI Orders Slower than Expected: What Contractors Should KnowCompliance
Key Takeaways from DOJ’s Continued Cybersecurity Enforcement
By Denise Barnes & Taylor Sample on
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $4.6 million settlement with MORSECORP, Inc. (MORSE) over its alleged failures to satisfy cybersecurity requirements for federal defense contractors.
DOJ Settlement Highlights Customs, FCA Risks for Importers
By Lindsey Fetzer, Thad McBride & Todd Overman on
On March 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an $8.1 million settlement in a civil case under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to alleged customs evasion by a California importer of wood flooring. The private whistleblower who reported the conduct received over $1.2 million in the matter. As we suggested in a blog post in February, these sorts of enforcement actions will proliferate under the Trump DOJ.
Continue Reading DOJ Settlement Highlights Customs, FCA Risks for ImportersFourth Circuit Terminates Maryland District Court’s DEI Injunction
On March 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted the government’s motion for a stay pending appeal, terminating a Maryland district court’s injunction of certain elements of President Trump’s January 20 and 21 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) executive orders (EO), “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” We wrote about the district court’s injunction here and here.
Continue Reading Fourth Circuit Terminates Maryland District Court’s DEI InjunctionEthics Rules Applicable to Hiring Former Federal Government Employees
As the Trump administration continues to eliminate federal positions and reduce contract and grant outlays, many private companies will likely be eyeing current and former government employees for employment over the coming months. However, companies looking to hire former government employees must keep in mind the strict and nuanced rules that govern their hiring, and, in some cases, prohibit contractors from paying former government employees and limit their ability to appear before their former agencies.
Continue Reading Ethics Rules Applicable to Hiring Former Federal Government EmployeesExecutive Order on Federal Contracting Transparency: Potential Challenges and Implications
A new executive order is set to reshape federal contracting by implementing more stringent transparency measures, but it may also create significant challenges for both government agencies and contractors.
Continue Reading Executive Order on Federal Contracting Transparency: Potential Challenges and ImplicationsJudge Denies Government’s Motion to Stay Injunction of Anti-DEI Executive Orders
By Richard Arnholt on
On March 3 Judge Abelson of the U.S. District Court for the District or Maryland denied the government’s motion for a stay pending appeal of the preliminary injunction halting the termination of equity-related federal grants and contracts and stopping the imposition of new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)-related certification requirements in federal agreements, among other actions required by President Trump’s DEI-related Executive Orders 14151 and 14173.
Continue Reading Judge Denies Government’s Motion to Stay Injunction of Anti-DEI Executive OrdersExecutive Order Directs Systematic Review of “Covered Contracts and Grants” For Possible Termination
Over the first month of the new administration, President Trump has directed the review or termination of certain types of contracts and grants, including equity-related agreements, awards under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Investment and Jobs Act, and foreign aid agreements awarded by USAID. Those actions, while disruptive, have been limited to certain agreement types or agencies.
Continue Reading Executive Order Directs Systematic Review of “Covered Contracts and Grants” For Possible TerminationGSA Issues FAR Class Deviations Implementing DEI Requirements
On February 15, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced two new “class deviations” (CDs) making a number of changes to the procurement rules applicable to GSA solicitations and contracts, including leases of real property.
Continue Reading GSA Issues FAR Class Deviations Implementing DEI RequirementsKey Compliance Considerations for U.S. Investors Under the Treasury’s New Outbound Investment Regulations
By Thad McBride on
Posted in Compliance, International Trade
In an article for Law360, I summarized the U.S. Department of Treasury’s new outbound investment regulations and outlined key compliance considerations for U.S. investors. I explained that the rule “aims to prevent U.S. capital and less tangible benefits like managerial services from accelerating the development of certain technologies that could harm U.S. security interests.”
Continue Reading Key Compliance Considerations for U.S. Investors Under the Treasury’s New Outbound Investment Regulations