Since late February, President Trump has used the power of the presidency to punish law firms that he accuses of weaponizing the justice system and undermining the national interest, part of his promised campaign of vengeance against his perceived political enemies.
Trump's use of executive orders against specific law firms is widely seen as an effort to intimidate and punish them for representing people or causes at odds with his administration. Many of the firms also were once home to lawyers who were involved in investigations of Trump himself, such as former special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Some law firms targeted by Trump have fought back. Others have cut a deal with him.
While the legal battle over this controversial use of presidential power is still playing out in the courts, ripple effects already are being felt beyond the boardrooms of the country's most powerful law firms.
"I've never seen an administration target firms for their case selection, the clients they select. It really does set a very dangerous precedent of political interference in the legal profession," said Lourdes Rosado, the president and general counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a New York-based civil rights nonprofit.
"The administration's attacks on big law firms really create a climate of fear that could deter firms from taking on these very politically sensitive, yes, pro bono cases that are challenging unconstitutional actions...
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