GRIEVANCE XXII ◆ THE RULE OF LAW
He has sought to punish attorneys and firms for the clients they have represented and the causes they have defended.
THE RECORD SHOWS
Executive orders targeting major law firms were blocked in court, after judges found serious constitutional defects in the administration’s penalties.
The orders restricted access to federal buildings, contracting, and security clearances at firms whose past legal work drew presidential hostility. Three firms obtained permanent injunctions in 2025; appeals remain pending. The White House has asserted broad authority over executive-branch dealings. The courts treated the constitutional right to petition and the independence of counsel as central questions.
A DOCUMENTED SEQUENCE
3 MILESTONES- 2025Trump issued orders sanctioning major law firms based in part on prior representation and personnel practices.
- 2025Federal judges permanently blocked enforcement against three firms, citing constitutional protections.
- October 2026The administration continued litigating the orders and unsuccessfully tried to disqualify counsel for the American Bar Association.