&gt; The judge has indicated skepticism over the government’s demands. Initially, Apple agreed to a formal order to help the Justice Department gain access to Mr. Feng’s phone, but Judge Orenstein balked, questioning whether the All Writs Act could be used that way. He invited Apple’s lawyers to raise objections.<p>This is curious, because I was under the impression (due to the lawyers on HN) that this is basically an open and shut case in the eyes of the law: the government has the ability to compel Apple to act. Why would the judge think differently?<p>(I&#x27;m genuinely curious as to the legal aspects of this and not taking a side either way.)