- A federal judge permanently blocked Trump’s executive order targeting law firm Jenner & Block, calling it unconstitutional.
- Trump aimed to punish the firm over a lawyer’s past work on the Russia investigation.
- The order would have banned government contracts with the firm and restricted its lawyers’ access to federal buildings.
- This is the second time a court has struck down Trump’s attempts to target law firms.
What’s the Big Deal?
A U.S. District Judge, John D. Bates, a Republican appointee, has permanently blocked an executive order from former President Donald Trump. The order targeted a well-known law firm called Jenner & Block. Judge Bates ruled that Trump’s actions were unconstitutional because they tried to punish the firm for work one of its lawyers did years ago.
The lawyer in question, Andrew Weissmann, was part of the team led by special counsel Robert Mueller. That team investigated Trump’s connections to Russia during the 2016 election. Weissmann hasn’t worked for Jenner & Block since 2011 and now teaches law at New York University.
Why Did Trump Target Jenner & Block?
Trump’s executive order was designed to hit Jenner & Block hard. It aimed to stop the federal government from doing business with the firm. It also sought to block the firm’s lawyers from entering federal buildings like courthouses. The judge said Trump’s move was an attempt to scare lawyers away from taking on cases the administration didn’t like. This, the judge said, undermined the separation of powers in the U.S. government.
A Pattern of Targeting Law Firms
Jenner & Block isn’t the only law firm Trump has gone after. He’s targeted several others, including Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Susman Godfrey. In some cases, these firms have sued the government over Trump’s executive orders. So far, judges in all four cases have temporarily blocked Trump’s orders.
Interestingly, nine of these firms reached a deal with Trump’s team. They agreed to provide nearly $1 billion in free legal services to causes supported by Trump.
The Judge’s Ruling
Judge Bates made it clear that Trump’s order was an overreach of executive power. He wrote that the order tried “to chill legal representation the administration doesn’t like, thereby insulating the Executive Branch from the judicial check fundamental to the separation of powers.” In simpler terms, Trump was trying to stop lawyers from representing people or causes he didn’t agree with, which the judge said violates the Constitution.
Why This Matters
This ruling is significant because it highlights how the courts have repeatedly pushed back against Trump’s attempts to target law firms. It also shows how Trump has tried to use his power to influence who can represent certain clients. Lawyers and legal experts say this is a dangerous move because it could undermine the rule of law and the ability of courts to check the power of the Executive Branch.
What’s Next?
For now, Jenner & Block and other targeted firms can continue their work without fear of penalties from Trump’s executive orders. The ruling is also a reminder of the ongoing legal battles between Trump and the legal community. As this situation unfolds, it will be important to watch how Trump and his team respond to these rulings and whether they continue to target law firms in the future.
In the end, Judge Bates’ decision is a strong statement about the importance of an independent judiciary and the need to protect the rights of lawyers to represent their clients without fear of retaliation.