Legal Slice

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending security clearances for employees of Seattle-founded law firm Perkins Coie, citing its diversity practices and political activities. The order against the firm, which undertook work for Democrats during the 2016 campaign, represents an escalation of efforts to punish groups the president sees as aiding his enemies, the New York Times reports. Perkins Coie attorneys have in recent weeks joined other lawyers who are opposing the Trump administration’s actions publicly in court. The executive order denounces what it calls “dishonest and dangerous activity” at the firm, noting its hiring of a research firm that precipitated the compilation of a dossier of unsubstantiated allegations against Mr. Trump related to possible ties between his campaign and Russia. The order accused the firm of “undermining democratic elections, the integrity of our courts and honest law enforcement.” A Perkins Coie spokesperson said in a statement to CNN: “We have reviewed the Executive Order. It is patently unlawful, and we intend to challenge it.”