A federal judge handed President Donald Trump another court blow Friday night in a case revolving around an executive order targeting the law firm Jenner & Block.
Trump's order revoked security clearances for the firm's attorneys, restricted their access to government facilities, and barred them from federal contracting opportunities, one of several directives he's signed against powerful law firms in retaliation for perceived wrongs.
Trump specifically referenced Jenner & Block's past employment of Andrew Weissmann, a key figure in former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Trump accused the firm of engaging in "partisan lawfare." Jenner & Block sued in federal court to block enforcement of the order, calling it an illegal attempt to punish lawyers based on their affiliations and advocacy.
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Jenner & Block argued the order was unconstitutional and said it was aimed at intimidating lawyers for representing clients that oppose the Trump administration. The firm said Trump's order is unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment and damaging the firm's reputation and operations.
On Friday evening, a judge helped their case, temporarily blocking the order, finding it likely violates multiple amendments: the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments.
"Judge Bates calls Trump's EO 'disturbing' and 'troubling,' especially the attack on pro bono practice," noted legal expert Adam Klasfeld, an MSNBC legal contributor and Just Security fellow.
"Our legal profession as a whole is watching and wondering whether courtroom activities in the best tradition of lawyering will cause the federal government to turn its unwanted attention to them next," the judge wrote, according to Klasfeld.
