Editorials & Commentary

"Mr. Trump's order is now targeting the law firm for representing clients Mr. Trump dislikes. He is trying to defenestrate Perkins Coie to intimidate elite law firms from representing his opponents or plaintiffs who challenge his policies."

“In the past several weeks, … [President Trump] has really launched a full-frontal assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, our system of justice and the entire legal profession[.]”

"Trump’s executive order, in brazenly singling out the Perkins Coie law firm, is shocking. As condemnable as bills of attainder were in British practice, at least they were parliamentary acts. Apparently, the president not only thinks that Americans can be convicted and sentenced without trial (in blatant violation of the Constitution) but also that he can direct this outcome unilaterally."

"The cause of these law firms is the cause of an independent bar that’s free, willing, and able to represent clients vigorously against the federal government, its officials, and powerful candidates. That should make it everyone’s cause, especially for those of us who cherish liberty, limited government, and the rule of law."

"The government has decided to punish two prominent law firms because they represent parties that the administration does not like."

"We don't know where this is going to end… Unless the courts rein in the administration, we're going to have more examples of the use of executive power for retribution against political enemies."

"The right to counsel should be sacrosanct in the American system, especially for unpopular clients."

"The message is that those lawyers who stand up for the rights of clients abused by the lawlessness of this administration will pay the price — and that price will be high."

"At their core, the executive orders are a transparent effort to intimidate other attorneys who represent the president’s adversaries… The presidential assault on the lawyers and law firms representing his litigation adversaries is an attack on the very foundation of the legal system."

"You’re taking away the ability of an attorney to act in their role as a lawyer… The order to me is… depriving our whole right to counsel. This is a major amendment to our Constitution."

"If you’re a political enemy, you really need the best representation when the government comes after you for who you are… Chilling the lawyers who represent those people hurts the rule of law because when the government can’t be legally opposed, the law provides no protections to anyone and you start to live in an autocracy."