U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked a Trump executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, which represented Dominion Voting Systems in a lawsuit against Fox News for knowingly lying about fraud in the 2020 election.
Judge AliKhan called the executive order part of a “personal vendetta,” adding…
The framers of our Constitution would see this as a shocking abuse of power.
Judge Loren L. AliKhan
This warning echoes that from a letter sent to the courts earlier this month by over 500 law firms in defense of another Trump target – Clinton campaign law firm Perkins Coie.
In March, Trump signed an executive order suspending any security clearances granted to the firm’s attorneys and threatening to block the firm from representing any client that receives federal funding. The executive order also directed federal officials to investigate other large law firms (like Susman Godfrey).
In a court brief supporting Perkins Coie, the firms describe Trump’s orders as a threat of “devastating retaliation” for anyone willing to represent a person or cause he doesn’t agree with.
“Although we do not take this step lightly, our abiding commitment to preserving the integrity of the American legal system leaves us no choice but to join together,” the brief said.
Author Commentary
Since reclaiming office, Donald Trump has strong-armed several major law firms into signing deals with his administration or face punishing executive orders, a move some legal experts describe as unprecedented.
The firms who acquiesced to Trump did so out of fear that his retribution would cost them many important clients and greatly harm their businesses. But now that the calendar has turned to spring, we’re witnessing a few firms battling back.
These deals basically function as a quid pro quo, where Trump holds them free from harm in exchange for free legal services taking up causes favored by his administration. Those who signed that proverbial deal with the devil seemed to think through their appeasement they could fly under the radar while protecting the viability of their firms. But as is often the case with the control-freak Trump who demands total submission, those who partner with him are required to cave to him, as Trump’s demands tend to expand beyond what they thought they originally signed up for.
These law firms were targeted under the guise of being on the wrong side of woke issues like DEI, but the real reason was for having connections to cases that were directly opposed to Trump and/or his agenda. It’s all part of Trump’s intimidation and vengeance tour towards any person, group or institution he considers political enemies, similar to his mistreatment of entities like universities, media outlets and renegade federal agencies (MAGA-world’s designated boogeymen denigrated under the degrading surname deep state) who don’t comply with their preordained MAGA mindset.
The president’s motive is not only to silence these law firms from opposing him, but they’re obligated to take his side in legal cases. It’s part of Trump’s overarching crusade to dominate and crush all opposition, as this abuse of power is a direct assault against the legal profession and rule of law. After an initial flood of firms starting with Paul Weiss falling into his trap, we’ve recently seen pushback from agencies with the backbone to oppose the Trump administration. And with the law and the Constitution on their side, courts have been quick to rule in their favor.
The lesson learned for law firms appears to be standing up to Trump is standing up for equal justice and the legal system, which looks to be the preferred choice going forward, especially when these firms band together. Also potential clients should consider if law firms can’t stand up to a bully to defend themselves, why should these clients think they can effectively represent them? And beyond that, appeasement doesn’t stop tyranny, it only feeds it…
To Trump, lawsuits are like breathing…Trump does have vast experience in the legal world throughout his business and political career. Whether it’s cases like business contractors who sued him since they never got paid, or university students suing him for a fraud education, or multiple women suing him for sexual abuse, or even Trump suing those below his weight into submission, it’s estimated Trump has sued or been sued more than 4000 times…
Sources
Trump crackdown on frivolous lawsuits is the pot meeting the kettle
Personal and business legal affairs of Donald Trump – Wikipedia
USA TODAY Network: Dive into Donald Trump’s thousands of lawsuits – USA TODAY
More than 500 law firms back Perkins Coie suit against punitive Trump order – Reuters
Trump’s Not-So-Subtle Purpose in Fighting Big Law Firms – DNyuz
Trump confirms retribution campaign against law firms that clash with his agenda | The Independent
Attacking Law Firms Attacks What Makes America Great | Opinion – Newsweek
Donald Trump’s Showdown With the Law Now Goes Beyond Judges | Vanity Fair
Why Trump’s executive orders on law firms are causing alarm
How major law firms are responding to Trump’s attacks – POLITICO
Trump’s crusade against big law firms sparks fears of long-lasting damage – CBS News
Legal community shaken by a powerful law firm’s decision to give in to Trump’s demands
Federal judge calls Trump’s order targeting prominent law firm a ‘shocking abuse of power’
Trump attacks on law firms begin to chill pro bono work on unfavorable causes : NPR
Why is Trump going after U.S. law firms? – Deseret News
Big Law’s Attempts to Appease Trump Won’t Work
https://time.com/7272466/law-firms-trump-wilmerhale-jenner-block-paul-weiss-covington-burling
