Trump Administration Drops Executive Order for $40M Legal Services Deal

The Trump administration has reached a controversial agreement with the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, whereby Trump will rescind an executive order that targeted the firm in exchange for $40 million in pro bono legal services. The order had suspended the firm's security clearances and barred its employees from federal buildings, due to its perceived opposition to Trump and involvement in legal actions against him. In the deal, Paul, Weiss committed to represent clients across the political spectrum and agreed to an audit of its hiring practices to ensure they are merit-based, rejecting diversity hiring policies. The agreement follows a meeting between Trump and Paul, Weiss Chairman Brad Karp, during which Karp acknowledged the perceived wrongdoing of former partner Mark Pomerantz, who previously assisted in legal cases against Trump. This development is part of Trump's broader campaign against law firms that he believes have opposed his administration. The firm's compliance with these conditions marks a significant shift in its relationship with the Trump administration.