Needless to say, I think they got it wrong. However given the court's reasoning on the likelihood of success, this could be seen as a preview of their leaning.
Quick ChatGPT summary of the order:
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order granting a temporary stay of a nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its Reporting Rule, which had been imposed by a district court. The CTA requires nonexempt companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information, aiming to combat financial crimes. The district court had found the CTA unconstitutional, but the Fifth Circuit disagreed, emphasizing:
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Likelihood of Success: The government made a strong case that the CTA is constitutional under the Commerce Clause because it regulates economic activities affecting interstate commerce. The Act’s reporting requirements align with efforts to combat financial crimes and are narrowly applied to entities engaged in commercial activities.
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Irreparable Harm to Government: Blocking the implementation of a statute duly enacted by Congress constitutes irreparable harm to the government.
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Minimal Harm to Businesses: The burden on businesses is relatively minor, with reporting estimated to take 90 minutes and no associated filing fees.
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Public Interest: The stay supports the public interest by reinforcing anti-money laundering measures and bolstering national security.
The order expedites the appeal for oral arguments, highlighting the urgency of resolving this matter before the CTA’s reporting deadline on January 1, 2025. The court also criticized the district court’s broad injunction, which exceeded the scope of relief sought by the plaintiffs.