Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Executive Order Against Perkins Coie Law Firm
In a significant legal development, a federal judge has declared President Trump’s executive order against the law firm Perkins Coie unconstitutional. This marks the first time a ruling has permanently blocked an executive directive of this nature, highlighting a critical moment for the legal community.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell’s decision underscores the unprecedented nature of Trump’s order, which specifically targeted Perkins Coie, known for representing clients and causes unfavorable to the former president. “No American President has ever before issued executive orders like the one at issue in this lawsuit targeting a prominent law firm with adverse actions to be executed by all Executive branch agencies,” Howell stated in her detailed 102-page judgment.
The executive order imposed severe restrictions on Perkins Coie, including the suspension of security clearances for its employees, prohibition of its attorneys from accessing government buildings, and the termination of government contracts with the firm. This move was part of a broader pattern where Trump issued similar orders against other law firms he considered adversarial.
Judge Howell’s ruling frames the order as a direct assault on the independence of the legal profession, emphasizing its essential role in the fair and impartial operation of the judicial system. “The importance of independent lawyers to ensuring the American judicial system’s fair and impartial administration of justice has been recognized in this country since its founding era,” she noted.
Perkins Coie was the first to face such sweeping punitive measures, and its case is the first to see a permanent injunction. The firm and three others successfully challenged Trump’s orders, securing temporary court orders halting their enforcement. The ruling also criticized the stigmatization of Perkins Coie, highlighting how the firm’s employees were penalized for representing clients whose positions Trump opposed. In a striking metaphor, Howell equated the executive order to “a cringe-worthy twist on the theatrical phrase ‘let’s kill all the lawyers,'” suggesting it was an attempt to silence legal opposition.
A spokesperson for Perkins Coie welcomed the ruling, stating, “This ruling affirms core constitutional freedoms all Americans hold dear, including free speech, due process, and the right to select counsel without the fear of retribution.” The firm expressed gratitude to those who supported them and reiterated their commitment to protecting their clients and upholding the rule of law.
Meanwhile, other firms targeted by similar executive actions have either contested the orders or reached settlements with Trump, agreeing to provide free legal services for causes aligned with the former president’s interests. The Justice Department has not yet commented on the ruling.
For more details on the Perkins Coie case, visit here. To read about other firms challenging Trump’s orders, check this link and here.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
