Overview
- Justice Department filings on Monday asked the D.C. Circuit to dismiss appeals of rulings that struck down President Trump’s executive orders against Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey.
- Four federal district judges had found the measures unconstitutional, citing violations of core protections, and none of the orders ever took effect.
- The orders sought to suspend security clearances, bar entry to federal buildings, and jeopardize government contracts for targeted firms or their clients.
- Nine other major firms avoided similar orders by cutting deals with the White House worth roughly $940 million in pro bono commitments and other concessions, agreements that drew backlash within the legal community.
- The administration targeted firms over hires and representations linked to investigations and litigation involving the president, including work related to the Mueller probe, Hillary Clinton, and Dominion Voting Systems.