Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (March 7, 2025)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, issued a statement responding to President Donald Trump’s latest effort to intimidate Americans who dare to challenge his unlawful actions in court and punish the law firms who represent them. Trump’s latest actions include issuing an unprecedented memorandum directing government agencies to seek financial damages from Americans who seek justice in the courts. Trump also signed an Executive Order punishing Perkins Coie—a major law firm working on challenging some of Trump’s executive actions in court—by suspending their security clearances, barring them from federal buildings, and preventing the federal government from hiring or contracting with them. Just last week, Trump signed an Executive Order punishing another law firm, Covington & Burling LLP—for its representation of former Special Counsel Jack Smith—with similar measures:

“Stung by his accelerating losses in court—now more than 40 and counting—the President’s response is to exact revenge against the people he blames for his predicament—the lawyers and litigants who have stopped him. This is dangerous as hell.

“By stripping security clearances from attorneys at Perkins Coie, Trump wants to make an example of lawyers who stand up for the law, which is what lawyers do. If you defend other people’s rights, even if it’s your job, the President of the United States will retaliate against you. These lawyers will be supported by Democrats in Congress as they do their work and celebrated for their courage in not being deterred by outrageous political bullying.

“By threatening to seek costs and damages from private litigants, Donald Trump is trying to scare Americans out of court. Thanks to our Founders, we have a right to get lawyers to challenge the Administration’s blatantly unlawful efforts to freeze funds to essential government programs like wildfire prevention, scientific research and food assistance. We have a right to get brave lawyers to challenge MAGA and DOGE when they fire thousands of government workers and shut down agencies that defend American consumers against frauds and scams. 

“Nobody denies Trump the right to have counsel himself in the more than 4,000 cases he has been embroiled in over his career, most of which he initiated as plaintiff. He should stop attacking other people’s lawyers for doing their jobs.”