Lawmakers Probe Trump Administration Deals With Law Firms

Democratic lawmakers are scrutinizing nine major U.S. law firms for controversial deals with the Trump administration that require the firms to provide nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services and abandon diversity-based hiring in exchange for protection from potentially harmful executive orders. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Jamie Raskin, along with Representatives Dave Min and April McClain Delaney, argue these agreements may threaten judicial independence and violate federal bribery, extortion, and fraud statutes. The arrangements reportedly mandate merit-based hiring and prohibit denying clients based on political views, raising constitutional concerns. Some firms have complied preemptively to avoid punitive actions such as loss of security clearances or federal contracts. The White House and the law firms have not responded to requests for comment. Congressional committees have set deadlines for the firms to provide detailed information as the investigation progresses.