President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a pair of documents aimed at punishing his legal opponents, moves his critics view as attempts to intimidate his would-be adversaries in court.
The president issued an executive order directing the suspension of security clearances for employees at the law firm Perkins Coie and the termination of government contracts with the firm, which has represented prominent Democrats.
Trump also Thursday signed a memo aimed at requiring groups to pay for costs and damages if they are granted injunctions that are later reversed.
The administration contends that the Perkins Coie directive will “protect the nation from partisan actors who exploit their influence.” The president cited the law firm’s work for then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump said his memo on injunctions is an attempt to rein in “activist groups” filing “meritless suits” and “facing no consequences when they lose.”
