Top law firms feel the squeeze as Trump cracks down on lawfare | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com
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Excerpt:Smaller firms and advocacy groups said that it has been difficult to recruit larger firms to assist in cases against Trump.
In the wake of President Donald Trump signing executive orders revoking the security clearances of employees at top law firms, those in the world of Big Law have been fearful to sign onto statements to criticize the Trump administration, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.
Smaller firms and advocacy groups said that it has proved difficult to get larger firms to join in opposing Trump on cases, and partners at some of the leading firms have expressed in private conversations outrage over Trump’s actions.
Jin Hee Lee, director of strategic initiatives at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, told the outlet, “Obviously, there is a different energy this time around. Law firms are not as vocal and as zealous.” The NAACP is involved in multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants born in the US as well as anti-DEI policies.
In late February, Trump signed a memorandum suspending the clearances for employees of Covington & Burling LLP, the law firm that assisted Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith brought two federal cases against Trump. A Fact Sheet from the White House stated, “Security clearances held by Peter Koski and potential other members of Covington & Burling LLP who assisted former Special Counsel Jack Smith will be suspended, pending a review of their roles and responsibility in the weaponization of the judicial process.”
