U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order targeting the law firm WilmerHale, marking the fifth time he has taken action against a major law firm linked to his political adversaries.
The order specifically mentions WilmerHale’s connection to Robert Mueller, the former special counsel who led the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s order accuses WilmerHale of abandoning professional standards by supporting what he calls “destructive” causes related to immigration and voting.
It also claims the firm discriminates based on race. The order suspends security clearances for WilmerHale lawyers, limits their access to government officials, and instructs a review to terminate federal contracts with the firm’s clients.
A spokesperson for WilmerHale noted that this order resembles an earlier one that was blocked by a judge. The firm plans to pursue legal remedies against what it considers an unlawful directive. Robert Mueller, who retired from WilmerHale in 2021, could not be reached for comment.
This move is part of Trump’s broader effort to target law firms he believes are using the legal system against him and his allies. Recently, a federal judge blocked a similar order against Perkins Coie, finding it likely unconstitutional.
Trump also dropped an order against Paul Weiss after the firm agreed to donate legal work and commit to nonpartisan hiring practices.
WilmerHale is one of several firms representing clients in lawsuits against the Trump administration, including cases on immigration and government worker firings.
The firm’s actions have drawn criticism from legal experts and Democratic state attorneys general, who warn that such moves threaten the U.S. legal system by limiting lawyers’ freedom to choose clients.
WilmerHale is a prominent firm with over 1,100 lawyers and a strong U.S. Supreme Court practice. Its clients include major companies like Apple, Harvard University, Meta, and Tesla. The firm has a history of representing diverse clients, including those involved in disputes against administrations from both political parties.
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