On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the prominent law firm Susman Godfrey, which represents Dominion Voting Systems in defamation lawsuits linked to the 2020 U.S. election. The Houston-based firm is currently involved in cases against several figures and organizations, including Fox News, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell, over false claims about election fraud.
This executive order mirrors previous actions by the Trump administration, which has taken similar steps against law firms involved in what it terms the “weaponization of government” and “lawfare.” Will Scharf, a White House aide, emphasized that the order targets law firms connected to political adversaries of the former president.
In response, Susman Godfrey issued a statement vowing to challenge the order. “There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order,” the firm said, affirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The order also extends to other legal battles, such as the defamation suits filed by Dominion against Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and others who have spread false claims about the 2020 election. Dominion has won several significant legal victories, including a recent Delaware court ruling in its favor in a case against Newsmax, which also involves Susman Godfrey’s representation.
Trump’s executive order suspends security clearances for Susman Godfrey’s 170 lawyers, restricts their access to government buildings, and threatens to cancel federal contracts held by clients of the firm. The order accuses Susman Godfrey of undermining American interests and claims the firm engaged in discriminatory employment practices. Specifically, it criticizes a program offering opportunities for non-white students.
This move is part of a broader series of actions Trump has taken against law firms he believes are aligned with his legal and political opponents. In recent weeks, Trump signed similar executive orders targeting four other law firms. Three of these firms—Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, and Jenner & Block—won preliminary rulings in court that the orders violated the U.S. Constitution. Another firm, Paul Weiss, reached a settlement with Trump to rescind the order against it.
Susman Godfrey, which has represented former senior government officials supporting Perkins Coie in its lawsuit against Trump, was among 504 law firms that signed a court brief backing Perkins Coie’s case. The brief stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of the American legal system.
In contrast to these legal battles, firms like Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Milbank, and Willkie Farr have reached agreements with Trump, agreeing to donate millions of dollars worth of free legal work to causes approved by his administration.
Trump has suggested that more firms are interested in similar arrangements, stating at a recent White House event, “They’re all lining up.” During the signing of Wednesday’s order, Trump hinted at additional actions, mentioning, “We have another five to go,” though it was unclear whether this referred to future orders or potential agreements with other firms.
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