Beginning in March 2025, Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting law firms that had previously represented his political opponents or challenged his policies. The firms targeted were Perkins Coie (which represented the Democratic Party), WilmerHale (where Special Counsel Robert Mueller was a partner), Susman Godfrey, and Jenner & Block.
The executive orders revoked security clearances for firm employees, barred them from federal contracts, and directed agencies to refuse to engage with the firms — effectively attempting to destroy their businesses as punishment for lawful legal representation. Trump openly stated his intent was retribution, calling Perkins Coie “the most evil law firm in America.”
All four executive orders were struck down by federal courts as unconstitutional violations of the First Amendment right to legal representation and due process. Judges found the orders were retaliatory and designed to chill lawyers from taking cases against the government.
In a chaotic 24-hour reversal, the DOJ initially filed to drop all appeals on March 2, 2026 — then reversed course the very next day on March 3 and announced it would continue defending the orders. The flip-flop came with no explanation, and Perkins Coie called the reversal “abrupt.” Reports suggest the White House intervened after learning DOJ was abandoning the fight. Meanwhile, nine other firms pledged $940 million in free legal work to causes the White House and the firms both said they support, rather than face similar orders (see Nine Law Firms Pledged $940 Million in Free Legal Work to Avoid Trump's Executive Orders, and Some of It Went to His Commerce Department).
The targeting of lawyers for representing clients the president dislikes strikes at the foundation of the legal system. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, and the entire adversarial system depends on lawyers being able to represent unpopular clients without government retaliation.
Correction (October 2, 2026): 3 citations (Reuters, NPR, CNN) were removed because their links are dead or could not be verified.