Trump Punished Private Law Firms in an Authoritarian Power Grab

Trump issued executive orders targeting specific private law firms for punishment for opposing him in the past.

Our Analysis

If the government wrongs you, you should be able to fight back in court. And unless you happen to be an attorney, you'll need one to do so.

Trump, to bend the judicial system to his dictatorial will, is using his power to punish private law firms who had represented clients opposing him in the past and force them to support him over the Americans he harms.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, and Milbank, along with Paul Weiss and others were extorted into providing hundreds of millions in free legal work benefitting Trump and changing the internal policies of their private businesses in ways that Trump demands.

This means that now, if you wish to oppose Trump in court, Trump will attempt to – and may succeed – in destroying the law firm taking your case, making it far less likely that you'll find an attorney to represent you.

Sources

Both sides aren't the same:

What the "other side" did

As far as we can tell, a Democratic president has never issued executive orders targeting private law firms to bend them to the administration's will.

We were unable to find a source with an example of this happening – if you can find one, submit a tip to us.