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U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending security clearances for employees of the law firm Perkins Coie. The order also limits the firm’s business with federal contractors, citing its diversity policies and political activities.
Why Trump Took Action Against Perkins Coie
Perkins Coie, a law firm founded in Seattle, has been criticized by Trump and his allies due to its previous legal work for his 2016 election opponent, Hillary Clinton. The executive order not only restricts security clearances for the firm’s employees but also calls for a broader investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at major law firms.
“This executive order will suspend security clearances and access to certain federal resources for that law firm and also launch a holistic review of unlawful DEI practices at some of the nation's largest law firms,” said Trump aide Will Scharf.
Perkins Coie’s Response to the Executive Order
Perkins Coie has strongly opposed Trump’s move, calling it “patently unlawful” and stating that they will challenge it legally.
This action comes shortly after Trump signed a similar order against another major law firm, Covington & Burling. The president had revoked security clearances for lawyers from Covington who provided free legal aid to Jack Smith, the former U.S. special counsel who prosecuted Trump.
Impact on Federal Contractors and Government Agencies
The executive order directs federal agencies to review any contracts with Perkins Coie. It mandates that companies working with the government must disclose their business with the firm, and contracts linked to the law firm could be terminated.
Additionally, Perkins Coie employees will have restricted access to federal buildings, citing national security concerns.
Concerns from the Legal Community
Legal experts have expressed concern over this move, stating that it challenges the foundation of the legal profession. Michael Frisch from Georgetown University said, “Everyone is entitled to a defense, and you don't judge a lawyer or law firm by the client they represent.”
University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter added that there is no direct link between diversity initiatives at law firms and national security risks that would justify stripping security clearances.
Perkins Coie’s Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration
Perkins Coie is actively involved in lawsuits against the Trump administration. One of their major cases includes a legal challenge in a Seattle federal court against Trump's restrictions on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Diversity Initiatives and Legal Challenges
In August 2023, Perkins Coie faced a lawsuit from an anti-affirmative action activist group led by Edward Blum. The lawsuit claimed that the firm’s diversity fellowships unlawfully excluded certain racial groups. Two months later, the firm modified the criteria for its fellowship program, leading to the lawsuit’s dismissal.
Tech Companies and Perkins Coie’s Legal Work
Perkins Coie is known for representing major tech companies, including Alphabet’s Google and Amazon. Currently, the firm is defending Google in a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, which claims that Google’s email filters send Republican emails to spam.
Conclusion
Trump’s executive order against Perkins Coie marks an unprecedented move against a law firm, raising concerns within the legal community. With the firm vowing to challenge the order, this legal battle is far from over.
