But, Judge Sullivan said, neither the Constitution nor Congress required it.
In a courtroom packed with telecommunications lawyers, analysts and major investors, Judge Sullivan spent the day trying to figure out the extent of his authority.
At the Pentagon, senior officials disputed Judge Sullivan's reasoning and his facts.
The next step in our court case is a hearing tomorrow, before Judge Sullivan, on the Justice Department's motion.
Next winter, she said, a full ban goes into effect if Judge Sullivan's ruling stands.
In 1973, Judge Sullivan joined the law firm of Houston & Gardner.
In his order Friday, Judge Sullivan asked the lawyers to address what authority he had to question the settlements.
Additionally, Judge Sullivan found that the transfer of the file to the 'cloud locker' constituted reproduction.
The request now before Judge Sullivan is the latest in what promises to be an increasing array of legal challenges to the law.
But this morning, an appeals court overturned Judge Sullivan's order.