Trump order against Perkins Coie halted by Judge

Once again, an executive order issued by Donald Trump is being thwarted by a lower-court judge.  

This time it is Trump’s order to revoke the security clearance of attorneys at Perkins Coie, a firm that worked with Special Counsel Jack Smith.  

Revoke it 

Donald Trump went after Perkins Coie with an executive order on March 6, 2025.  

Trump’s order stated, “Security clearances held by Perkins Coie LLP employees will be immediately suspended, pending a review of whether their access to sensitive information is consistent with the national interest.” 

It further explained, “To ensure taxpayer dollars no longer go to contractors whose earnings subsidize partisan lawsuits against the United States, the Federal Government will prohibit funding contractors that use Perkins Coie LLP.” 

One of the examples given to justify the revocation of the clearances, stated, “In 2016, Perkins Coie LLP hired Fusion GPS to manufacture a false ‘dossier’ designed to steal an election while representing failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.” 

Sue him 

Trump has no sooner penned the order when Perkins Coie announced that it was going to litigate the matter.  

The firm stated, "Its plain purpose is to bully those who advocate points of view that the President perceives as adverse to the views of his Administration, whether those views are presented on behalf of paying or pro bono clients.” 

According to Smith, the firm did not help him in any way regarding the indictments against Trump.  

According to Smith, Perkins Coie was only helping him in regard to the Trump administration possibly going after him once Trump took office.  

Judge strikes down order 

I have stated before that when Trump issues these types of orders, he needs to have them vetted by White House counsel to ensure they will hold up against a challenge, and this is a perfect example of this.  

This order was already being perceived as a revenge order, if it is challenged, which it was, and defeated, which it just was, the media and Dems can use it as ammo against the GOP in the 2026 and 2028 elections.  

In this case, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell, who Barack Obama appointed, wrote a scathing opinion in striking down the order. Judge Howell added, "That’s pretty extraordinary power for the president to exercise.” 

Trump wanted to destroy this firm, and even the attorneys for the firm had noted that revoking these clearances would, in essence, put the firm out of business. Trump will, of course, appeal this ruling, and it will likely go before the Supreme Court before he has any chance of relief. I hope, for his sake, that order was tight and the Court upholds the ruling because, if not, this is another weapon to be used against the GOP for Democrats to take power back.