Mike Scarcella and David Thomas, Reuters; Judge blocks most of Trump order against Susman Godfrey, laments law firms 'capitulating'
"A federal judge on Tuesday blocked most of Donald Trump's executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, part of the Republican U.S. president's campaign against the legal industry, and lamented that other firms have been "capitulating" to what she called his coercion and abuse of power.
Washington-based U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a temporary restraining order halting provisions of Trump's directive that threatened to cancel federal contracts held by Susman Godfrey's clients and restricted access by its lawyers to government buildings and officials.
"The government is purely trying to control what private lawyers may do, which I do not think will withstand constitutional scrutiny," the judge said at a hearing.\
Susman Godfrey sued the administration on Friday, arguing that Trump's order violated the firm's rights to free speech, due process and other protections under the U.S. Constitution.
Nine firms, including Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps and Simpson Thacher, have cut deals with the White House since Trump began targeting law firms he disfavors in February. Four firms have filed lawsuits challenging Trump."
No comments:
Post a Comment