A federal judge has blocked key parts of Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, calling the situation a cause for deep concern within the legal profession.
Judge Beryl Howell ruled in favor of Perkins Coie’s emergency request to halt provisions of Trump’s order, which sought to bar the firm from working with federal contractors and restrict its attorneys’ access to government buildings. The firm, known for its past representation of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and its diversity policies, argued that the order was unconstitutional and could devastate its business.
At a hearing in Washington, Howell expressed alarm at the implications of Trump’s move, stating, “I am sure many in the legal profession are watching in horror about what Perkins Coie is going through here.”
The firm, based in Seattle, has already suffered financial fallout, with at least seven clients backing out of legal work in response to the order. A lawyer for Perkins Coie described the situation as “life-threatening” for the firm, warning that without judicial intervention, the consequences would be catastrophic.
The White House, however, defended Trump’s actions, framing them as part of an effort to root out “waste, fraud, and abuse.” A Justice Department lawyer argued that the president holds broad authority to decide who can be trusted with sensitive government matters.
Trump’s move against Perkins Coie is part of a broader crackdown on law firms he perceives as hostile to his administration. Another recent order targeted Covington & Burling, a firm representing Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading two criminal cases against the former president.
Perkins Coie’s legal challenge asserts that Trump’s executive order violates fundamental constitutional rights, including protections for free speech and due process. The case marks yet another battle in Trump’s ongoing war against legal institutions he views as adversarial.
