President Trump on Thursday revoked an executive order he signed a week ago, targeting Weiss’ law firm Paul, citing an agreement with the company that includes pro bono support for the administration’s initiative.
Trump posted to the True Society that he agreed to withdraw the order he signed on March 14th. This requested a review of security clearance and government contracts with law firms of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
According to a Trump post, the reversal came as part of an agreement between the company and the president.
As part of the agreement, the law firm agreed not to deny representation to its clients based on political views. Do not use diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) policies. And it would devote $40 million worth of pro bono legal services to support veterans, anti-Semitism, and “judicial system equity.”
The White House said in a statement that Trump made the decision after meeting with law firm chairman Brad Carp.
“We are pleased that the President agreed to withdraw his executive order on Paul, Weiss,” said in a statement that Trump posted to the True Society. “We look forward to the enthusiastic and constructive relationship between the president and his administration.”
Trump signed an order targeting Paul and Weiss last week. He claimed it was the latest in a series of moves that targeted major law firms he claimed, or had connections with his critics and rivals. The order specifically called Mike Pomerantz, a lawyer who previously worked for the company and later worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in a financial case against Trump.
Reported by the Wall Street Journal A few days later, the law firm was fired by a prominent client over concerns about Trump’s order.
Trump has taken many actions targeting law firms, including removing clearance from lawyers at two other law firms.
Perkins Coie largely blocked hamstringing the ability to strip the company of clearance and represent clients suing the federal government, like dealing with Paul.
Perkins Coie worked for the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016.
A federal judge temporarily blocked some of Trump’s orders, and Perkins refused to let his lawyer enter the federal building.
Trump also issued an order targeting Covington & Burling. It offers a free service to represent former special advisor Jack Smith in his personal abilities.
Earlier this week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee also sent a letter to 20 law firms asking questions about their practices, arguing that the company’s efforts to assert that employees could violate the Employment Act could violate the Employment Act.
Rebecca Beitsch contributed
- Tags: Abandons, administration, breaking, concessions, crusade, firms, Paul, Reached, Trump, Weiss
