ABA Sues Trump, Officials Over Law Firm Intimidation

The American Bar Association (ABA) has filed a sweeping lawsuit against President Donald Trump and top federal officials, alleging a deliberate policy of intimidation targeting law firms and lawyers who challenge the administration. The ABA claims that a series of executive orders and public statements have produced a chilling effect, deterring attorneys from taking cases against the government due to fears of retaliation, such as loss of security clearances, barred access to federal buildings, and coercion into costly pro bono agreements in exchange for relief. The lawsuit argues that these actions are unprecedented, threaten the rule of law, and undermine access to legal representation. Several federal judges have already struck down portions of these executive orders as unconstitutional, but the ABA alleges the broader climate of intimidation persists. The Trump administration maintains it has discretion over government contracts and security clearances. The ABA seeks a court order declaring the policy unconstitutional and blocking its enforcement.