The verification is supposedly not linked to play protect at all. Presumably Epic will be a verified developer even without being on Google Play and therefore their apk's will remain installable regardless of distribution method. If Epic were blocked then I imagine they'd absolutely have grounds to sue.

The Republicans have managed to insert enough of their sycophants throughout the American legal system - most notably including the Supreme Court - to ensure corporate interests will always win in the end going forward. The invasion of the Supreme Court is especially insidious because those are lifetime appointments, and they've ensured their recent additions to it are young enough to stay in place for a very long time.

This has already had effects in allowing Trump get away with literal murder by them expanding the power of the Oval Office to absurd amounts with recent "decisions."