President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting Jenner & Block, a prominent U.S. law firm that has challenged several of his policies and formerly employed Andrew Weissmann, a key prosecutor in the Mueller investigation. The White House characterized this action as a response to firms that have “weaponized the legal system” for political purposes.
Jenner & Block has been involved in significant legal challenges against Trump’s policies, including a successful injunction against an order affecting transgender healthcare access. The firm’s past association with Andrew Weissmann, who worked on Mueller’s team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, is also highlighted in the executive order.
Trump’s actions against law firms have drawn criticism from the legal community, with concerns that they could chill the freedom of lawyers to represent clients of their choice. Similar executive orders have been issued against firms like Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss, with a federal judge temporarily blocking parts of the order against Perkins Coie.
This move is part of a broader campaign by Trump against major law firms. Recently, Paul Weiss negotiated an agreement with the president to avoid similar restrictions by pledging $40 million in pro bono legal services to causes supported by his administration. Trump has also instructed the Justice Department to propose actions against firms handling immigration cases or litigating against the government over the past eight years.
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