Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, has led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in issuing an open letter to the legal community. The letter warns against alleged illegal attempts by the Trump administration to discourage lawyers from challenging its actions or representing clients disfavored by the administration. The coalition urges legal professionals to resist bullying and retribution while upholding professional values.
"Attacking attorneys because they argued a case against the government or represented a particular client cuts to the heart of the legal profession and threatens our work," Raoul stated. "It is also dangerous for the president to attempt to vilify the judiciary whenever they don’t agree with him. I join my fellow attorneys general to make clear that we will not allow the rule of law to be undermined by political retribution. We will stand with all our colleagues in the legal community who stay true to the ideals and values of our profession."
The group contends that certain actions taken by President Trump are unconstitutional, amounting to an abuse of authority and an attack on legal practice. They highlight executive orders targeting five law firms as examples, alleging these measures seek retribution over ideological differences.
These executive orders reportedly cancel government contracts with targeted firms, revoke security clearances for their attorneys, and impose restrictions on access to public buildings. Additionally, they allegedly infringe on client privacy by mandating disclosure of contracts with these firms.
A specific order calls for investigations into law firms with diversity-focused programs or policies, involving both federal and state attorneys general. One firm has reportedly complied with administration demands by abandoning diversity practices and committing $40 million in pro bono work for causes supported by President Trump.
Raoul and his colleagues stress that lawyers should uphold the rule of law without succumbing to intimidation or fear of retribution. They encourage solidarity within the legal community and clarify that their offices will not partake in political attacks against dissenting law firms.
Furthermore, they condemn what they describe as baseless attacks on federal judges ruling against President Trump’s administration, urging collective opposition from the legal community.
The letter is endorsed by attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island,Vermont,and Washington.