In an unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Justice to seek pro bono legal assistance from private law firms for police officers facing unfounded accusations of misconduct. The order, signed on April 29, 2025, tasks U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi with mobilizing the legal community to support law enforcement officers by providing free legal representation when they are unjustly liable in performing their duties.
Trump’s latest directive is part of a broader strategy to align private law firms with his administration’s legal objectives. It underscores his ongoing efforts to leverage the power of the private sector to advance government goals, including defending law enforcement from claims he deems politically motivated.
The executive order explicitly calls for “private-sector pro bono assistance” for law enforcement, though it does not specify which law firms would be called upon. This move expands upon a series of previous initiatives, in which Trump has secured $940 million worth of pro bono commitments from major law firms, all in support of causes that align with his agenda, such as veterans’ rights and countering antisemitism. These agreements came after Trump targeted firms he accused of “weaponizing” the legal system against him and his allies.
Notable firms like Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, and Latham & Watkins have recently signed deals to devote pro bono resources to Trump’s preferred causes, though they have yet to comment on the latest executive order or whether they will be involved in the defense of police officers under its terms.
The order is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to bolster law enforcement, advocating for better training, higher pay, and enhanced legal protections for officers. The administration has also been vocal in criticizing efforts to “demonize” law enforcement, framing these actions as detrimental to public safety.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) has voiced concerns over the potential pressure the order may exert on law firms to take on cases defending police misconduct. Meanwhile, a group of 20 Democratic state attorneys general has spoken out against the deals, urging law firms to resist the administration’s pro bono requests and highlighting the lack of transparency around the terms of these agreements.
As the debate continues to unfold, the relationship between the Trump administration and the legal community remains a point of contention, with critics questioning the long-term implications of these pro bono arrangements on the independence of law firms.
