Judge Blocks Key Parts of DJT Executive Order Against Perkins Coie

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Federal District Court Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary restraining order to bar enforcement of key aspects of Donald Trump’s executive order to hamstring the law firm Perkins Coie.

The firm often represents Democratic clients such as Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign. It commissioned the opposition research that led to compilation of the Steele dossier which delved into Trump’s linkages with Russia.

The portion of the executive order that Perkins Coie challenged bans its lawyers from interacting with federal agencies and prevents them from entering federal buildings. This portion has already harmed its business by driving some clients away. So far the firm has not directly challenged the portion that revokes all security clearances for the firm and its personnel. The Supreme Court has given the President unlimited scope to grant, revoke or withhold security clearances as he wishes.

Howell wrote that “retaliatory animus” in Trump’s executive order is “clear on its face” and appears to be unconstitutional.

The temporary restraining order is in effect while the full case is being heard. Howell expressed concern that Trump’s singling out of a law firm for punishment can cause other legal firms to fear taking up a case Trump dislikes. Howell said, “I am sure that many in the legal profession are watching in horror at what Perkins Coie is going through here. The order casts a chilling harm of blizzard proportions across the legal profession.”

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