Trump takes aim at Perkins Coie: Law firm faces scrutiny over election meddling, racial quotas and national security concerns

• President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting Perkins Coie, a prominent law firm with strong Democratic ties, accusing it of undermining elections, racial discrimination and posing a national security threat.
• The order claims Perkins Coie engaged in unethical and illegal activities, notably funding the discredited 2016 Russia dossier, which alleged Trump-Russia ties and became a focus of the FBI’s election interference investigation.
• The order alleges systemic racial discrimination by Perkins Coie through its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, including hiring quotas and exclusion of applicants based on race, violating civil rights laws.
• The order directs federal agencies to suspend security clearances for Perkins Coie employees and review all contracts with the firm, aiming to prevent taxpayer funds from supporting discriminatory or anti-democratic activities.
• This executive order is part of a larger Trump administration effort to hold adversaries accountable, potentially impacting the legal industry and raising concerns about the politicization of justice and executive overreach.

In a bold and unprecedented move, former President Donald Trump has issued an executive order targeting Perkins Coie, a prominent law firm with deep ties to Democratic politics. The order accuses the firm of undermining democratic elections, engaging in racial discrimination and posing a threat to national security. This sweeping action marks a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing battle against what he describes as the “weaponization” of government and private institutions against political opponents.

The executive order, signed on March 6, alleges that Perkins Coie has been involved in a pattern of unethical and illegal activities, including its role in funding the infamous Russia dossier during the 2016 presidential campaign. The dossier, which was later discredited, alleged ties between Trump and Russia and became a central focus of the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the election.

“This is an absolute honor to sign. What they’ve done is just terrible. It’s weaponization — you could say weaponization against a political opponent, and it should never be allowed to happen again,” Trump declared during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office.

A firm at the center of controversy

Perkins Coie’s involvement in the 2016 election scandal is well-documented. The firm, which represented Hillary Clinton’s campaign, hired Fusion GPS to conduct opposition research on Trump. Fusion GPS, in turn, retained former British spy Christopher Steele, who compiled the dossier. While the dossier sparked a political firestorm, subsequent investigations, including Special Counsel John Durham’s 2023 report, found that the FBI was unable to verify its key allegations.

The executive order highlights this history, stating, “Notably, in 2016 while representing failed Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS, which then manufactured a false ‘dossier’ designed to steal an election.”

But the firm’s troubles don’t end there. The order also accuses Perkins Coie of working with activist donors, including George Soros, to overturn popular election laws, such as voter ID requirements. In one case, the firm’s attorneys were sanctioned by a court for an “unethical lack of candor.”

Racial quotas and discrimination

Perhaps the most explosive allegation in the order is that Perkins Coie has engaged in systemic racial discrimination through its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. The order claims the firm implemented “percentage quotas… for hiring and promotion on the basis of race and other categories prohibited by civil rights laws.”

“Perkins Coie racially discriminates against its own attorneys and staff, and against applicants,” the order states. It further alleges that the firm excluded applicants based on race for its fellowships and maintained these practices until lawsuits forced changes.

This accusation comes amid a broader national debate over DEI initiatives, which critics argue often prioritize identity over merit. The Trump administration has made it clear that it views such practices as a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

National security and contracting reforms

The executive order also takes aim at Perkins Coie’s access to sensitive government information and taxpayer-funded contracts. It directs federal agencies to suspend security clearances for the firm’s employees and review all contracts with Perkins Coie or entities that do business with the firm.

“To prevent the transfer of taxpayer dollars to Federal contractors whose earnings subsidize, among other things, racial discrimination, falsified documents designed to weaponize the Government against candidates for office, and anti-democratic election changes that invite fraud and distrust,” the order states.

Within 30 days, agencies must submit assessments of their contracts with Perkins Coie and take steps to terminate agreements deemed inconsistent with national interests.

A broader crackdown on corruption

This executive order is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to hold perceived adversaries accountable. Since returning to office, Trump has fired Justice Department prosecutors involved in investigations against him and stripped security clearances from former intelligence officials who criticized his handling of the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.

The order also directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Justice to investigate large law firms for compliance with non-discrimination laws. This move could have far-reaching implications for the legal industry, which has increasingly embraced DEI initiatives in recent years.

A firm response

Perkins Coie has vowed to fight back. In a statement, a spokesperson for the firm said, “We have reviewed the Executive Order. It is patently unlawful, and we intend to challenge it.”

The firm’s defiance sets the stage for a legal battle that could test the limits of executive power and the role of private institutions in political disputes.

Why this matters

The targeting of Perkins Coie reflects a broader struggle over the integrity of American institutions. From election laws to civil rights protections, the issues at stake go to the heart of democracy itself.

Historically, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was designed to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans, regardless of race or gender. By accusing Perkins Coie of violating these principles, the Trump administration is framing its actions as a defense of equality and meritocracy.

At the same time, the order raises questions about the politicization of justice and the potential for abuse of executive authority. Critics argue that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, allowing future administrations to target private entities for their political affiliations.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

WhiteHouse.gov

APNews.com