‘Null and Void’: Judge Strikes Down Executive Order
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The court declared the executive order "null and void," invalidating restrictions that stripped security clearances from Perkins Coie lawyers and halted their dealings with the government. The U.S. Department of Justice, the primary defendant, attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming the executive order was valid, but the court rejected this argument.
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Howell stated, "No American president has ever before issued executive orders like the one at issue in this lawsuit targeting a prominent law firm with adverse actions to be executed by all Executive branch agencies but, in purpose and effect, this action draws from a playbook as old as Shakespeare, who penned the phrase: 'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.'"
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Howell added, "In a cringe-worthy twist on the theatrical phrase 'Let's kill all the lawyers,' EO 14230 takes the approach of 'Let's kill the lawyers I don't like,' sending the clear message: lawyers must stick to the party line, or else."
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Perkins Coie sought legal relief to prevent the enforcement of the order, and the court granted that request. This ruling represents an ongoing legal challenge to President Donald Trump’s initiatives targeting law firms that have represented political opponents.
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The executive order cited Perkins Coie's previous representation of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign as justification for its actions.
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The court's ruling raises significant constitutional concerns about the authority of the executive branch to target specific law firms based on their affiliations.
Roger Anderson covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.
