Emhoff critical of firm after deal struck with Trump administration

Last week, we reported that the new firm of Doug Emhoff, the husband of Kamala Harris, struck a deal with the Trump administration for pro bono work on the administration’s initiatives.

Now it is reported that Emhoff was furious, but the firm overruled his objections.

Deal announced

Donald Trump had stripped several law firms of their security clearances for having either worked with prosecutors against him or having tried to help those who did prosecute Trump.

This more or less put legal firms on notice that if they wanted their attorneys to keep their clearances, key for doing business with the government, they were going to need to play ball.

One of the first firms to reach out to Trump to make a deal was Milbank, which agreed to do $100 million in pro bono work as well as end its DEI practices.

Some of the other key elements off the deal would be to not deny representation of any client based on their political views as well as help veterans who had suffered the inequities of the law.

Another deal

Willkie Farr & Gallagher also reached out to the administration, also willing to pony up $100 million in pro bono work and follow the same conditions as Milbank.

The interesting aspect of this deal, however, is that this was the firm that Doug Emhoff had recently signed on to after Harris left her post as vice president.

Thomas Cerabino, the chair of Willkie Farr, announced, “The firm looks forward to having a constructive relationship with the Trump administration, and remains committed to serving the needs of our clients, our employees, and the communities of which we are a part.”

When the announcement was made, everyone was wondering what the dinner conversation in the Harris house was like, as I would imagine it was not pleasant at all.

Doug Speaks Up

We all know that Harris wears the pants in this relationship, and that was made more apparent this weekend when reports broke that Emhoff was upset after having his opinion on the deal overruled.

A CNN report stated, “Emhoff condemned the decision by his law firm to preemptively come to an arrangement with the Trump administration to avoid an executive order targeting the firm.”

It continued, “Emhoff told the crowd at the Annual Dinner Gala for the legal aid group Bet Tzedek he had told the firm he wanted to fight the threat of an executive order he found unconstitutional but had been overruled, the sources said.”

To be honest, I am surprised that Harris did not make Emhoff quit, but I would not write that off just yet. If Harris decides to run again in 2028, she would likely get the nod, and I would imagine her husband working for a firm that helped Trump would be a top attack by the GOP against Harris. So, don’t be surprised if Emhoff leaves this firm soon, as I can only imagine the looks he is getting from Kamala right now.