President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that suspends security clearances for employees of the law firm Perkins Coie and targets its business dealings with federal contractors. The order criticizes the firm’s diversity practices and political activities.
Perkins Coie, a Seattle-based law firm, has faced scrutiny from Trump supporters due to its previous work for Hillary Clinton, his 2016 presidential election opponent. The executive order also directs federal authorities to investigate other large law firms for potential violations of racial discrimination laws.
Will Scharf, a Trump aide, explained that the executive order suspends security clearances and limits access to federal resources for Perkins Coie. It also calls for a broad review of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices at some of the country’s largest law firms.
Trump expressed pride in signing the order, calling it “an absolute honor.” In response, Perkins Coie stated that it would challenge the executive order, calling it “patently unlawful.”
This order follows a similar one signed last week against another law firm, Covington & Burling, which involved revoking security clearances for lawyers who assisted Jack Smith, the former U.S. special counsel. Smith had overseen criminal investigations into Trump.
The order targeting Perkins Coie goes further, instructing federal agencies to require federal contractors to disclose any business with the firm. It also says that contracts with Perkins Coie may be terminated, and its employees’ access to federal government buildings will be restricted for national security reasons.
The executive order argues that Perkins Coie’s “disrespect for the bedrock principle of equality” makes it unfit to handle U.S. secrets or federal funds. The White House also announced that agencies will avoid hiring Perkins Coie employees unless authorized, and block business with contractors linked to the firm due to its involvement in partisan lawsuits.
Perkins Coie is among several law firms involved in lawsuits against the Trump administration. Notably, it is part of two lawsuits challenging Trump policies, including one in Seattle that opposes restrictions on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Perkins Coie has been involved in legal battles concerning its diversity programs. In August 2023, a group led by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum sued the firm, claiming its diversity fellowships unlawfully excluded certain individuals based on race. Perkins Coie later changed the fellowship criteria, leading to the lawsuit being dropped.
Legal experts are uncertain about any precedent for presidential actions targeting specific law firms. Georgetown Law’s Michael Frisch emphasized the importance of defending clients without judgment, while University of Minnesota’s Richard Painter questioned the connection between diversity practices and national security concerns.
Perkins Coie is known for its work with major tech companies, including Alphabet’s Google and Amazon. Both companies did not immediately comment on the latest developments. The firm’s association with Hillary Clinton’s campaign remains a point of contention for many Trump supporters.
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