Judge Blocks Trump Order Against Perkins Coie

A federal judge, Beryl Howell, has permanently blocked President Donald Trump's executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie, ruling it unconstitutional for violating the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. The order aimed to strip Perkins Coie lawyers of security clearances, restrict their access to federal buildings, and cancel federal contracts in retaliation for the firm's past representations and progressive employment practices. Judge Howell condemned the order as an abuse of presidential power and a threat to the rule of law, invoking Shakespeare to highlight the importance of legal advocacy. This ruling represents the first permanent court decision against Trump's broader efforts to penalize law firms, with similar actions against other firms still facing legal challenges. Perkins Coie welcomed the decision, emphasizing its commitment to constitutional freedoms. Federal agencies are currently barred from enforcing the order, though the Justice Department may appeal.