The Brian Lehrer Show Trump vs Law Firms
Apr 21, 2025
Harold Hongju Koh, a professor of international law and former legal advisor to the U.S. Department of State, dives into the tumultuous relationship between the Trump administration and major law firms. He discusses the executive orders aimed at firms representing the president's critics, raising alarms about constitutional rights and due process. Koh highlights the chilling effects these orders have on legal representation and explores the negotiation pressures law firms faced when caught between political influence and their ethical obligations.
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Executive Orders Violate Constitution
- President Trump's executive orders against law firms are retaliatory and violate constitutional protections like bills of attainder.
- They impose punishments without trial, undermining due process and separation of powers.
Punishing Law Firms Threatens Justice
- The executive orders punish law firms for representing unpopular clients or positions, which threatens fundamental legal rights.
- This sets a dangerous precedent allowing presidents to pick legal enemies arbitrarily, bypassing courts.
Executive Orders Undermine Fair Defense
- Denying security clearances to lawyers prevents them from accessing evidence necessary for client defense.
- Banning law firms from government contracts and buildings suppresses their legal work and free speech rights.