Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order Targeting WilmerHale Law Firm

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., struck down a March executive order issued by former President Donald Trump that targeted the law firm WilmerHale, ruling it unconstitutional for violating First Amendment free speech and due process rights. Judge Richard Leon emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary and legal profession willing to undertake unpopular cases, stating that enforcing the order would betray the Founding Fathers' vision. The ruling blocks the government from enforcing punitive measures against WilmerHale, which had challenged the order as retaliation for its legal advocacy, marking the third judicial defeat for Trump in similar cases against law firms such as Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block. WilmerHale, home to former special counsel Robert Mueller, hailed the decision as a strong affirmation of constitutional protections. The Justice Department may appeal, while the legal community remains concerned about the use of presidential power to target adversarial law firms. The White House has not commented on the ruling.