Juana Summers

This episode was produced by Kira Wakeem with audio engineering by Hannah Glovna. It was edited by Sarah Handel and Nadia Lancey. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigan. It's Consider This from NPR. I'm Juana Summers.

This episode was produced by Kira Wakeem with audio engineering by Hannah Glovna. It was edited by Sarah Handel and Nadia Lancey. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigan. It's Consider This from NPR. I'm Juana Summers.

This episode was produced by Kira Wakeem with audio engineering by Hannah Glovna. It was edited by Sarah Handel and Nadia Lancey. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigan. It's Consider This from NPR. I'm Juana Summers.

For weeks now, President Donald Trump has been issuing memos and executive orders targeting big law firms. Here's how he laid it out on Fox News.

For weeks now, President Donald Trump has been issuing memos and executive orders targeting big law firms. Here's how he laid it out on Fox News.

For weeks now, President Donald Trump has been issuing memos and executive orders targeting big law firms. Here's how he laid it out on Fox News.

Trump's moves suspended firm security clearances, prohibited government contractors from retaining the firms, and even barred their employees from federal buildings. He also issued an executive memo threatening sanctions on any law firms that pursue, quote, frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.

Trump's moves suspended firm security clearances, prohibited government contractors from retaining the firms, and even barred their employees from federal buildings. He also issued an executive memo threatening sanctions on any law firms that pursue, quote, frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.

Trump's moves suspended firm security clearances, prohibited government contractors from retaining the firms, and even barred their employees from federal buildings. He also issued an executive memo threatening sanctions on any law firms that pursue, quote, frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.

Here's how Professor Timothy Zick at William & Mary Law School describes it all.

Here's how Professor Timothy Zick at William & Mary Law School describes it all.

Here's how Professor Timothy Zick at William & Mary Law School describes it all.

Each of the firms had fallen afoul of Trump in one way or another. Perkins Coie, for example, represented Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign and had a hand in the creation of the infamous Trump-Russia dossier. With another firm, Paul Weiss, the complaints included the rehiring of an attorney who had left to help prosecute a case against Trump.

Each of the firms had fallen afoul of Trump in one way or another. Perkins Coie, for example, represented Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign and had a hand in the creation of the infamous Trump-Russia dossier. With another firm, Paul Weiss, the complaints included the rehiring of an attorney who had left to help prosecute a case against Trump.

Each of the firms had fallen afoul of Trump in one way or another. Perkins Coie, for example, represented Hillary Clinton in the 2016 campaign and had a hand in the creation of the infamous Trump-Russia dossier. With another firm, Paul Weiss, the complaints included the rehiring of an attorney who had left to help prosecute a case against Trump.

In court, the Trump administration has argued that the president has the authority to take action against companies if he believes they can't be trusted with national secrets. University of Pennsylvania law professor Claire Finkelstein says it appears clear the president has a different goal.

In court, the Trump administration has argued that the president has the authority to take action against companies if he believes they can't be trusted with national secrets. University of Pennsylvania law professor Claire Finkelstein says it appears clear the president has a different goal.

In court, the Trump administration has argued that the president has the authority to take action against companies if he believes they can't be trusted with national secrets. University of Pennsylvania law professor Claire Finkelstein says it appears clear the president has a different goal.

Perkins Coie fought the order targeting it and won a temporary stay. A federal judge said the order likely violates the firm's First, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. One of the firm's targeted poll, Weiss, cut a deal with the White House in order to have an executive order rescinded. Other law firms have stayed silent. And that doesn't sit well with Rachel Cohen.

Perkins Coie fought the order targeting it and won a temporary stay. A federal judge said the order likely violates the firm's First, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights. One of the firm's targeted poll, Weiss, cut a deal with the White House in order to have an executive order rescinded. Other law firms have stayed silent. And that doesn't sit well with Rachel Cohen.