Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with 21 other attorneys general, has issued an open letter to the legal community in response to President Trump's recent executive orders. These orders target law firms challenging the administration's actions and are described by Ellison and his colleagues as "unconstitutional on their face."
The coalition of attorneys general urges lawyers to "stand together" against what they see as illegal threats from the Trump administration. They emphasize that "law firms must refuse to bow to illegal and unconstitutional threats of retribution for having the temerity to represent clients and cases opposing the administration."
Ellison and his peers also express support for federal judges and judicial independence, rejecting calls for impeachment of judges based on rulings unfavorable to the Trump administration. They state, "Attorneys and firms also have a responsibility to speak out against baseless attacks on the federal judiciary."
Attorney General Ellison stresses that lawyers play a crucial role in upholding constitutional rights. He remarks, “Lawyers are not spectators to the Constitution; we are its agents." He calls on fellow legal professionals to resist attempts by the Trump administration to punish those who challenge its actions.
President Trump's executive orders aim at five law firms over ideological differences, threatening them with cancellation of government contracts and revocation of security clearances. The orders also bar these firms' lawyers from public buildings and mandate client contract disclosures.
Additionally, one order directs an investigation into law firms with diversity-focused programs. In response, Ellison's coalition affirms support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values.
Despite these pressures, one targeted firm has reportedly conceded some demands from the administration.
Ellison concludes by reaffirming commitment to uphold constitutional principles: “We will not allow anyone...to bully law firms out of representing clients who may be politically disfavored.”
The letter is co-signed by attorneys general including Kathy Jennings of Delaware and Kwame Raoul of Illinois.