WilmerHale hailed the ruling as a win for constitutional rights, while the White House argued clearance decisions lie outside judicial review.
A federal judge on Tuesday struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order, partly aimed at suspending security clearances for lawyers at WilmerHale, ruling it unconstitutional.
“The order shouts through a bullhorn: If you take on causes disfavored by President Trump, you will be punished!” Leon wrote. “Other firms facing similar executive orders have capitulated to President Trump.”
The judge’s move follows Trump’s issuing of multiple executive orders targeting major law firms.
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“Mueller’s investigation epitomizes the weaponization of government, yet WilmerHale claimed he ‘embodies the highest value of our firm and profession’,” the order stated. “This weaponization of the justice system must not be rewarded, let alone condoned.”
The order directed all executive departments and agencies to suspend security clearances for anyone at WilmerHale, as far as the law permits, while those clearances are reviewed to see if they’re consistent with the national interest.
WilmerHale filed a lawsuit on March 28, alleging that Trump’s order violated the firm’s First Amendment rights and its rights to due process. The law firm has praised Leon’s decision on May 27.
“The court’s decision to permanently block the unlawful executive order in its entirety strongly affirms our foundational constitutional rights and those of our clients,” it said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. “We remain proud to defend our firm, our people, and our clients.”
White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in a statement that Trump acted within his power by rescinding security clearances for the firm’s attorneys.
Fields emphasized that reviewing the president’s clearance decisions “falls well outside the judiciary’s authority.”
Trump’s order also stated that WilmerHale used its pro bono practices to support efforts designed to enable noncitizens to vote and that it discriminated against employees based on their race.
The order also directed federal agencies to terminate any contracts with the law firm, and restrict its employees’ access to government buildings.
Nine law firms have reached deals with Trump that included providing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of pro bono legal services, loosely defined as being for mutually supported causes.
The Justice Department can appeal Leon’s order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Reuters contributed to this report.
