Trump's legal war with top law firms triggers fierce backlash and street protests
Donald Trump, President of the United States (Photo: Getty Images)
The controversy over Donald Trump's pressure on leading US law firms has reignited, as the liberal group Demand Justice launched an aggressive campaign against firms that struck deals with the president, reports NBC News.
The liberal group Demand Justice has announced a major media campaign against the largest law firms that made deals with Donald Trump to avoid being targeted by his controversial executive orders.
Posters and mobile billboards with the slogan "Big law, stop bending the knee" have appeared across Washington, DC. The campaign focuses on nine well-known firms that pledged nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal work.
Acting director of Demand Justice, Maggie Jo Buchanan, emphasized, "When the most powerful lawyers in the country are afraid to stand up to the administration, it's important to show that the public expects them to act on principle. We want the most influential to speak for the law, not bend the knee."
She also highlighted the courage of employees who resigned in protest: "It takes real bravery to leave a highly paid position, but what's even more important is staying true to your principles."
Judges question legality and draw parallels to the "Red Scare"
At the same time, judges are questioning the legitimacy of Trump's orders against firms that refused to make deals.
At a recent hearing, US District Judge Beryl Howell sharply criticized the Justice Department for failing to provide specific information about the agreements, calling the government's actions "worthy of a 3-year-old."
The judge also drew historical parallels: "Isn't this pressure on law firms a return to McCarthyism and the 'Red Scare' era?" Howell asked, receiving only vague answers from the Justice Department attorney.
Perkins Coie attorney Dane Butswinkas called Trump's orders "a sham" and stressed: "We don't have to check our common sense at the courthouse door. Just because the administration says something doesn't make it true."
Leading US law firms Perkins Coie and WilmerHale have already filed lawsuits in federal court in Washington, seeking protection from Trump's executive blacklist.
WilmerHale headquarters in Washington, DC (Photo: Getty Images)
They argue these measures are a direct threat to the independence of the entire American legal system and have received the support of hundreds of colleagues and advocacy groups. The court's decision in these cases will become a key milestone for the future of the US legal profession.
