In a move that escalates his battle with high-profile law firms, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order stripping Perkins Coie employees of security clearances and directing federal agencies to sever ties with the firm. Citing its diversity initiatives and political affiliations, the administration has framed the action as part of a broader crackdown on what it calls “unlawful DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices” among major legal institutions.
The Seattle-based firm, known for its past work with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and its representation of clients challenging Trump’s policies, swiftly condemned the order as “patently unlawful” and vowed to fight it.
Trump’s directive goes beyond targeting Perkins Coie’s federal contracts. It mandates agencies to review their associations with any firm engaged in business with Perkins Coie, threatening to cut ties where necessary. Federal hiring of the firm’s employees is also set to be restricted unless explicitly approved.
This latest order follows a similar move against Covington & Burling, a firm that provided pro bono legal support to Jack Smith, the former special counsel who prosecuted Trump. In that case, security clearances were revoked, and federal contracts with Covington were put under scrutiny.
Legal experts have raised concerns over the unprecedented nature of these actions, with some arguing that targeting firms based on their client representation undermines fundamental legal principles. The order also comes amid ongoing debates over diversity hiring practices, a topic Perkins Coie has previously faced legal challenges over, including a lawsuit that was dropped after it revised its fellowship criteria.
Perkins Coie remains entangled in legal battles against the administration, including a lawsuit over restrictions on transgender military service. Meanwhile, the firm’s corporate clients, including major tech giants, have yet to respond to the escalating controversy.
