Overview

• U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued a temporary restraining order blocking sections of President Trump's executive order targeting Perkins Coie, a law firm linked to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.
• The blocked provisions include banning Perkins Coie attorneys from government buildings, restricting their interactions with federal officials, and requiring contractors to disclose ties to the firm.
• Judge Howell stated that the order likely violated the First Amendment and due process protections, describing it as retaliatory and raising concerns about its chilling effect on the legal profession.
• Perkins Coie argued the order threatened its financial stability, with approximately 25% of its revenue tied to government work, and described the action as politically motivated retaliation.
• The executive order follows Trump’s broader efforts to target entities he perceives as adversaries, including other law firms and individuals connected to investigations or opposition campaigns.