In a move that further intensifies his campaign against elite legal institutions, President Donald Trump has signed yet another executive order—this time targeting Jenner & Block, a prominent U.S. law firm known for representing clients challenging several of his administration’s most controversial policies.
The order mirrors earlier strikes against firms like Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss, suspending government building access, federal contract eligibility, and security clearances for attorneys affiliated with the targeted firm. Trump cited Jenner & Block’s previous ties to Andrew Weissmann, a former prosecutor from the Mueller investigation, as part of his justification for the order. Weissmann worked at the firm before joining the Mueller team and returned afterward, becoming a flashpoint in Trump’s long-running grievances with the special counsel’s probe into his 2016 campaign.
Trump’s latest order continues a pattern: punishing legal institutions connected, directly or indirectly, to the investigations or court battles he’s faced. Jenner & Block has been at the legal forefront in cases challenging Trump’s policies since his return to office in January. The firm recently helped block enforcement of a presidential order cutting funding to health providers that offer gender-affirming care to minors, and it is also involved in a lawsuit pushing back on Trump’s restrictions to asylum seekers.
But the firm isn’t standing down. In a public response, Jenner & Block called the executive order a political stunt reminiscent of one already ruled unconstitutional in court. “We remain focused on serving and safeguarding our clients’ interests,” the firm said, signaling its readiness to challenge the order.
Trump’s orders have had mixed results so far. Paul Weiss, another target, ultimately struck a deal with the administration to avoid what its chairman described as potential devastation to the firm. Meanwhile, Perkins Coie took a different route—fighting back in court and securing a preliminary block on Trump’s directive earlier this month. A federal judge noted the firm’s lawsuit had a strong likelihood of success, warning that the White House’s actions could send a chilling message to the broader legal community.
Trump’s Friday directive to the Justice Department signaled that more legal battles may be ahead. He called for broader recommendations against lawyers and firms that have litigated against the government over the past eight years—a list that includes many of the country’s most influential legal institutions.
With bar associations sounding the alarm over the implications for legal independence and attorney-client freedom, Trump’s efforts are drawing sharp lines between his administration and much of the legal profession. As one judge recently observed, the legal world is watching closely—and many aren’t pleased with what they see.
