Trump selects his next major legal adversary
The broadened assault on prominent companies follows closely on the heels of a recent judicial decision declaring a comparable order unconstitutional.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump persisted in his retaliatory actions against notable law firms on Friday, signing an executive order that specifically targets the New York firm Paul, Weiss just days after a judge determined that significant portions of a similar order were unconstitutional.
This new order aims to suspend the security clearances of attorneys affiliated with the firm, curtailing their access to government buildings, eligibility for federal employment, and ability to obtain federal contracts.
The action marks the third instance of targeted measures against a major firm. Trump has previously enacted similar orders against Seattle-based Perkins Coie, known for representing Democratic organizations such as the Democratic National Committee, and against any employee of Covington & Burling who provided free legal assistance to special counsel Jack Smith, who has initiated two criminal cases against Trump.
As reported by PMG, some prominent firms are contemplating a public show of support for those firms under fire from the Trump administration. However, generating a unified front has proven challenging as many firms privately fear they may be next on the president’s list of targets.
Trump's retribution is not limited to large firms. The executive order issued on Friday specifically called out lawyer Mark Pomerantz, who had previously investigated Trump, labeling him an “unethical attorney.”
Just hours before the signing of the order, Trump delivered a fiery speech at the Department of Justice, vehemently criticizing his political adversaries — including Pomerantz, whom he specifically mentioned — dubbing them “really bad people” and threatening to retaliate against them.
A spokesperson for Paul, Weiss informed PMG that Pomerantz had not been affiliated with the firm since he retired in 2012. Following his departure, Pomerantz conducted an investigation that led to building a case against Trump while at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, but he ultimately resigned when District Attorney Alvin Bragg opted not to pursue the charges.
Immediate efforts to contact Pomerantz through an intermediary were unsuccessful.
The Paul, Weiss spokesperson also highlighted that a federal judge recently ruled a similar order unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell determined on Wednesday that key aspects of Trump’s order against Perkins Coie were likely unconstitutional, including attempts to prevent attorneys from engaging with federal agencies or entering federal buildings.
In her ruling, Howell stated that Trump’s order seemed to be driven by “retaliatory animus” and concluded that it “runs head on into the wall of First Amendment protections.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this article for TROIB News
This new order aims to suspend the security clearances of attorneys affiliated with the firm, curtailing their access to government buildings, eligibility for federal employment, and ability to obtain federal contracts.
The action marks the third instance of targeted measures against a major firm. Trump has previously enacted similar orders against Seattle-based Perkins Coie, known for representing Democratic organizations such as the Democratic National Committee, and against any employee of Covington & Burling who provided free legal assistance to special counsel Jack Smith, who has initiated two criminal cases against Trump.
As reported by PMG, some prominent firms are contemplating a public show of support for those firms under fire from the Trump administration. However, generating a unified front has proven challenging as many firms privately fear they may be next on the president’s list of targets.
Trump's retribution is not limited to large firms. The executive order issued on Friday specifically called out lawyer Mark Pomerantz, who had previously investigated Trump, labeling him an “unethical attorney.”
Just hours before the signing of the order, Trump delivered a fiery speech at the Department of Justice, vehemently criticizing his political adversaries — including Pomerantz, whom he specifically mentioned — dubbing them “really bad people” and threatening to retaliate against them.
A spokesperson for Paul, Weiss informed PMG that Pomerantz had not been affiliated with the firm since he retired in 2012. Following his departure, Pomerantz conducted an investigation that led to building a case against Trump while at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, but he ultimately resigned when District Attorney Alvin Bragg opted not to pursue the charges.
Immediate efforts to contact Pomerantz through an intermediary were unsuccessful.
The Paul, Weiss spokesperson also highlighted that a federal judge recently ruled a similar order unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell determined on Wednesday that key aspects of Trump’s order against Perkins Coie were likely unconstitutional, including attempts to prevent attorneys from engaging with federal agencies or entering federal buildings.
In her ruling, Howell stated that Trump’s order seemed to be driven by “retaliatory animus” and concluded that it “runs head on into the wall of First Amendment protections.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this article for TROIB News
