New York Attorney General Letitia James is pushing back against what she calls unconstitutional retaliation by the Trump administration, filing legal support for two law firms sanctioned by executive order.
James joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general on Friday in submitting amicus briefs to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The filings argue that Executive Orders issued by President Trump against WilmerHale LLP and Jenner & Block LLP violate the First Amendment and threaten the rule of law.
“Targeting and sanctioning law firms for representing clients that the president disagrees with is unconstitutional and undemocratic,” James said. “The right to counsel and free speech is enshrined in the Constitution, and no president can take that away on a whim.”
The executive orders in question direct federal agencies to revoke security clearances from firm personnel, deny the firms access to federal buildings, and block government contractors from engaging with the firms. The orders also require agencies to identify and cancel any existing contracts with the targeted law firms.
The coalition argues that the orders are a misuse of executive power meant to punish legal advocacy disliked by the president. They warn the actions could chill legal representation, making it harder for controversial or marginalized clients to find counsel—especially those relying on pro bono services.
James previously filed a similar amicus brief last month supporting Perkins Coie LLP, another law firm allegedly targeted by the administration.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia joined in Friday’s filing.
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