California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with 20 other state attorneys general, has issued an open letter urging the legal community to unite in defense of the rule of law. This action comes in response to President Trump's recent attacks, which include calls for the impeachment of federal judges and threats against law firms and attorneys opposing his administration.
A major concern highlighted by Bonta is that one significant law firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss), has already yielded to the President's demands for policy support in return for relief from an executive order targeting them. According to Bonta, this situation risks creating a chilling effect within the legal community.
Bonta emphasized the importance of standing firm against what he describes as unlawful and undemocratic attacks on the practice of law. "The President seeks to bully and intimidate federal judges, attorneys, and law firms that disagree with him or take positions he does not like – undermining the American legal system built atop the U.S. Constitution he two months ago swore to uphold," said Attorney General Bonta.
In addition to today's letter, Bonta issued a separate statement on Sunday about speaking up when democratic norms are violated. In today's communication with a multistate coalition, they reaffirm their commitment to supporting judicial independence and maintaining adherence to constitutional principles.
"As state attorneys general, we have sworn oaths to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Rule of law is the bedrock of everything that makes our country great," states part of their letter. They also stress their refusal to allow any individual or entity—including the President—to intimidate legal professionals out of representing politically disfavored clients or interfere with clients' choice of counsel.
The letter was signed by attorneys general from several states including Delaware, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont and Washington.