Washington: A federal judge has temporarily blocked key provisions of an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump aimed at penalizing the law firm Perkins Coie, which previously represented former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the 2016 US presidential election. In a Wednesday ruling, US District Judge Beryl Howell granted a temporary restraining order, halting three parts of the order that restricted Perkins Coie attorneys from entering government buildings, limited their contact with federal officials, and subjected the firm's contracts with federal agencies to additional scrutiny.
According to Anadolu Agency, the order, signed last week by Trump, was widely seen as retribution against the firm for its role in contracting research that led to the controversial Steele Dossier ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The file contained serious and controversial allegations about Trump. However, the firm sued the Trump administration, arguing the directive violated its free speech rights.
Dane Butswinkas, an attorney for Perkins Coie, described the executive order as a significant threat to the firm's operations in Washington, DC. He expressed concerns in court, stating, "If left unchecked, we'll be left in a country we barely recognize." In a notable move, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, defended Trump's authority to take action against firms considered "not trustworthy with the nation's secrets." Judge Howell criticized this stance, remarking, "That's a different Constitution than I am familiar with."
The ruling does not overturn a separate provision of Trump's order that revokes security clearances for Perkins Coie attorneys, which the firm chose not to challenge. Trump, who has targeted multiple law firms in recent months, reiterated his stance in a Fox News interview on Sunday, expressing intentions to pursue actions against firms he deemed dishonest.
Before taking office in January, Trump had vowed retribution against people and institutions that he said unfairly targeted him, including law enforcement institutions and federal prosecutors.