In a fresh blast from the political-legal cannon, Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that he’s taking the gloves off and going after the law firm Perkins Coie. His announcement, made in typical Trumpian fashion via Truth Social, accuses the firm of “egregious and unlawful acts,” pointing a finger at an unnamed individual within its ranks.
But whether this marks a brand-new lawsuit or simply rhetorical reinforcements to an existing legal clash remains unclear. The timing, however, is no coincidence.
Just weeks ago, Trump signed an executive order with teeth—threatening to yank federal contracts from any company tied to Perkins Coie if the firm so much as touched the paperwork. Perkins Coie fired back, hauling the administration into court and claiming constitutional foul play. Trump’s legal team, in turn, asked the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, to exit stage left, calling her “highly biased.”
Doubling down, Trump’s post reiterated his disdain for Howell, characterizing her as part of a judiciary that, in his view, is anything but neutral.
The lawsuit, executive order, and verbal volleys are just the latest skirmish in an ongoing war of political attrition between Trump and institutions he perceives as adversarial. Perkins Coie, long a lightning rod in conservative circles, now finds itself in the crosshairs once again.
The stage is set, the rhetoric is sharp, and the legal fight is far from over.
