Judge smacks down Trump order over 'grave' legal violations

A federal judge on Friday delivered a stinging blow to President Donald Trump’s push to punish elite law firms, ruling that one of his executive orders was riddled with “grave constitutional violations,” according to NPR.

U.S. District Judge Lauren AliKhan permanently blocked Trump’s executive order targeting the prestigious firm Susman Godfrey, calling the presidential directive “unconstitutional from beginning to end." The decision is “the latest in a series of legal wins for firms” representing clients or causes the president dislikes and marks the fourth consecutive time a federal judge has struck down a Trump order aimed at Big Law, NPR noted.

"Every court to have considered a challenge to one of these orders has found grave constitutional violations and permanently enjoined enforcement of the order in full," the judge wrote Friday. "Today, this court follows suit, concluding that the order targeting Susman violates the U.S. Constitution and must be permanently enjoined."

Susman Godfrey swiftly responded, calling the ruling “a resounding victory for the rule of law and the right of every American to be represented by legal counsel without fear of retaliation.”

“The latest order delivers a resounding rebuke to Trump's unprecedented series of executive orders targeting prominent law firms since February,” according to NPR. “The orders have sought to punish them for representing causes or clients that he opposes, or for once employing attorneys he dislikes, such as former special counsel Robert Mueller.”

The orders imposed sweeping punishments, including stripping firms of government contracts, revoking security clearances, and barring their lawyers from federal buildings.

All four firms that have challenged the orders – Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, WilmerHale and Susman Godfrey – have prevailed in court, with judges from both parties ruling the orders violated the First and Fifth Amendments.

But not all firms fought back. As NPR reported, at least nine big law firms have struck deals with the Trump administration, agreeing to provide pro bono work on MAGA causes supported by Trump in exchange for having orders dropped.

Legal scholars warn that those deals could cause reputational consequences.

"We applaud the Court for declaring the administration's order unconstitutional,” Susman Godfrey added in its statement Friday. “Our firm is committed to the rule of law and to protecting the rights of our clients without regard to their political or other beliefs.”