The Trump administration wants courts to stop invalidating unlawful federal regulations for everyone and instead limit relief to the people who sued. The rule of law could become something you have to claim separately, like a missing airline refund.

A pending Supreme Court appeal concerns the Administrative Procedure Act. DOJ is not contesting the lower court's conclusion that parts of a medical-billing rule were unlawful; it is contesting the nationwide remedy. The justices have not agreed to hear the case.

Imagine this approach at a ladder company. A customer proves the third rung is defective. The company replaces his ladder, then resumes selling the identical model to his neighbors.

One neighbor calls. Customer service asks for her case number. She gives the model number.

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Wrong number. That only establishes she has the same problem.

She obtains a lawyer. Months later, she gets her own remedy. The company adds her name to the exceptions list and ships another truckload.

The repair department has become a mailing list. No troublesome changes to the ladder required.

Biden's administration also sought limits on this judicial power. Presidents of either party can appreciate the convenience of an unlawful rule that keeps working while everyone else hires counsel. Republican-led states, including Texas and Florida, have defended the APA's role in restraining federal overreach.

Back at our imaginary ladder factory, another satisfied litigant receives a replacement. Management records a successful recall.

The customer has been removed from circulation.