Trump Pulls Clearance From Who?
President Donald Trump has once again taken decisive action against major law firms, this time targeting the prestigious New York-based firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss). In a move designed to protect national security and uphold the integrity of government operations, Trump signed an executive order on Friday that strips Paul Weiss employees of their security clearances and limits their access to government buildings and contracts. This latest order underscores Trump’s commitment to eliminating any potential risks posed by law firms involved in politically motivated activities or other actions contrary to the national interest.
The executive order directs that the security clearances of Paul Weiss employees be revoked “pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.” In addition, any existing government contracts involving the firm will be terminated, and government officials will be instructed to avoid working with Paul Weiss’s staff unless a waiver is granted by the head of the relevant agency. Trump’s action highlights his administration’s ongoing efforts to hold law firms accountable for any actions deemed harmful to the country or to government operations.
In his speech at the Department of Justice, Trump specifically called out election lawyer Marc Elias, who was involved in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, and former Paul Weiss partner Mark Pomerantz, who was involved in the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation into Trump. The former president emphasized that his administration is committed to full accountability for any abuses of power or overreach in the legal system.
While Paul Weiss defended itself, noting that Pomerantz had retired from the firm years ago, Trump’s action is part of a broader strategy to ensure that law firms engaged in partisan political battles are held accountable for their actions. This is not the first time Trump has taken such measures. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order against another prominent law firm, Perkins Coie, which had ties to Democrats, particularly during the 2016 election. These ongoing efforts reflect Trump’s determination to protect American interests from the influence of politically biased legal practices.
