Attorney General Charity Clark has joined a group of 21 attorneys general in backing law firms facing executive orders they claim are unconstitutional. These orders, issued by President Donald Trump, allegedly impose severe sanctions on specific firms whose work the administration disapproves of.
The executive orders in question require federal officials to suspend active security clearances held by individuals at these law firms. They also instruct federal entities to refuse employment to, avoid engagement with, and block entry to federal buildings for personnel of these firms. Additionally, agencies are called to terminate any contracts with the firms, prompted by disclosures from federal contractors about any business dealings with them.
The coalition's briefs support legal challenges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The cases include Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of the President. Both law firms involved have already secured temporary injunctive relief and are now seeking a permanent block on these executive orders.
Attorney General Clark, along with her peers, argue that the retaliatory actions of the administration undermine the rule of law. They emphasize the importance of lawyers being able to take on challenging cases, including those involving unpopular clients, without fearing government backlash. The brief contends that the executive orders could harm state residents by making legal services less accessible, especially for clients who rely on pro bono support.
The coalition includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.