In a sweeping move against a high-profile law firm, President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending security clearances for Perkins Coie employees and scrutinizing the firm’s business with federal contractors. The administration cited concerns over its diversity practices and political affiliations as justification for the crackdown.
Seattle-based Perkins Coie, long a target of Trump allies due to its past work for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, swiftly condemned the order, calling it “patently unlawful” and vowing to challenge it. The White House, however, framed the action as part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws and to prevent firms engaged in political legal battles from benefiting from government contracts.
“This executive order will revoke security clearances, restrict federal building access, and trigger a broader review of discriminatory DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices within the legal industry,” said White House adviser Will Scharf during the Oval Office signing event. Trump himself called it “an absolute honor” to enact the order.
This latest move follows a similar action last week against Covington & Burling, another major law firm. The administration revoked security clearances for Covington attorneys who had provided pro bono assistance to former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw criminal cases against Trump. That order also instructed federal agencies to reconsider contracts with the firm.
The Perkins Coie order goes even further, compelling federal contractors to disclose any ties with the firm and threatening to terminate contracts connected to it. Employees of Perkins Coie will also face restrictions on accessing federal buildings, a measure the administration says is necessary to safeguard national security.
“Their blatant disregard for the foundational principle of equality disqualifies them from handling our nation’s secrets or managing federal funds,” the order stated.
The White House also directed agencies to halt hiring Perkins Coie employees unless specifically authorized. The move is part of a broader effort to penalize firms involved in lawsuits against the Trump administration, particularly those challenging executive actions on immigration and transgender rights.
Perkins Coie, known for representing major tech firms like Google and Amazon, has also been a legal target for conservative activists. In 2023, the firm faced a lawsuit over its diversity fellowships, which critics alleged unlawfully excluded applicants based on race. Though the firm revised the program and the lawsuit was dropped, its diversity efforts remain a focal point of criticism from Trump’s allies.
Legal scholars view these unprecedented actions with concern, warning that targeting law firms based on their clients and political leanings could set a dangerous precedent. Georgetown University’s Michael Frisch noted that a fundamental tenet of the legal profession is the right of all clients to legal representation, regardless of political affiliations. Meanwhile, Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, questioned whether Perkins Coie’s diversity programs pose any legitimate national security threat.
As the legal battle over Trump’s order looms, the administration’s aggressive stance against firms it views as adversarial signals a new front in its ongoing fight against institutional opponents.
