A federal judge has overturned President Donald Trump’s executive order that revoked security clearances and restricted federal building access for the law firm Perkins Coie, ruling the action unconstitutional.
The order, issued earlier this year, accused the firm of undermining national security due to its role in commissioning the Steele dossier during the 2016 election. However, the court found the move to be a politically motivated overreach that violated constitutional protections, including the rights to free speech, legal representation, and due process.
The judge concluded that the administration’s order amounted to retaliation against the firm for representing political opponents and warned it could have a chilling effect on the legal profession.
Perkins Coie, which represented Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, argued the order was a direct attempt to punish it for past political associations. The firm emphasized that no law should permit the government to penalize legal entities based on their clients.
The decision marks a significant legal setback for Trump’s efforts to target firms connected to his political rivals. Legal analysts say the ruling reinforces limits on executive power when it comes to punishing institutions over partisan conflicts.
While the White House has not issued a statement, Perkins Coie welcomed the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights and the independence of the legal system.