President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order, marking the third instance of his administration targeting a law firm. On Friday, he signed an order that suspends the security clearances of Mark Pomerantz and employees at the New York-based firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. This order also limits government interactions with the firm's lawyers and staff.
According to a White House fact sheet, the executive order aims to review whether the security clearances at Paul Weiss align with national interests. Mark Pomerantz previously led an investigation into Trump and his business dealings while at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
The signing coincided with Trump's appearance at the Department of Justice, where he criticized those involved in prosecuting him. This executive order follows similar actions against other law firms, including a recent order against Perkins Coie that a federal judge partially blocked, citing constitutional concerns. The language in the current order is similar to that of the Perkins Coie order.
Judge Beryl Howell expressed alarm at the administration's actions, describing them as "terrifying" for the legal community and noting that the Department of Justice's justifications were unsettling.
Paul Weiss, which includes notable Democrats like former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, was a significant donor to Democratic causes and former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. In a statement, the firm clarified that Pomerantz, who retired in 2012, has not been associated with them for years. They also referenced the recent court decision that deemed a similar order unconstitutional.