Attorney General Mayes has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general to address the legal community regarding actions from the Trump administration that they view as threatening and retaliatory. The coalition's open letter highlights concerns about attempts to deter lawyers from challenging the administration's actions or representing clients opposed by the administration.
"As Arizona’s Attorney General, I will not stay silent while the legal profession is targeted for doing its job," affirmed Attorney General Mayes. "These actions are a direct threat to the Constitution, the independence of the courts, and the ethical duties that every attorney swears to uphold. Arizonans believe in the rule of law, and I’m proud to join my fellow attorneys general in standing up to this abuse of power."
The attorneys general criticize the administration's measures, characterizing them as gross abuses of authority and direct attacks on the legal profession. According to the letter, President Trump has issued executive orders against five law firms as retribution for their ideological differences, including punitive actions against firms representing clients opposing the president. The letter claims Trump's memorandum last week threatened all law firms and lawyers engaged in litigation against the federal government.
The executive orders reportedly include canceling government contracts with targeted firms, revoking security clearances from their attorneys, and barring lawyers from the firms from public buildings. The orders also allegedly violate client privacy by mandating the disclosure of contracts with targeted firms. The president reportedly condemned individual attorneys for defending clients who challenged his administration's actions.
One order allegedly calls for the U.S. Attorney General, in consultation with state attorneys general, to investigate firms with policies centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The chilling effect cited by the letter was manifested when a targeted firm conceded to the administration’s demands, including abandoning diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and committing $40 million in pro bono work aligned with President Trump’s causes.
The coalition's letter emphasizes the responsibility of lawyers to uphold the rule of law without succumbing to intimidation, urging firms to stand by their colleagues amidst these pressures. They underscore their refusal to permit their offices to be utilized for political retaliation against law firms holding opposing views to the administration.
The letter also condemns the administration's unfounded attacks on federal judges who have ruled against President Trump and his affiliates. The attorneys general urge the legal community to oppose such attacks vocally, which include calls for the impeachment of judges issuing contrary rulings.
The coalition of attorneys general was led by Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The letter was co-signed by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.