Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adresses Risks from Perkins Coie LLP

Fact Sheets

President Trump has signed an Executive Order targeting Perkins Coie LLP, a law firm, with significant restrictions on their government access and contracts. This action represents a major move against a prominent law firm with ties to Democratic politics.

The order implements several immediate actions:

  • Suspension of all security clearances held by Perkins Coie employees, pending a national interest review
  • Termination of SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) access for the firm
  • Restrictions on firm employees’ access to government buildings
  • Limitations on federal agencies hiring Perkins Coie employees
  • Prohibition on funding contractors that use Perkins Coie LLP
  • Mandated review of all existing federal contracts with the firm, with direction to terminate them where legally possible
  • Review of the firm’s practices under Title VII for potential racial bias

The administration cites several reasons for these actions:

  • Claims that Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS to create a “false dossier” against Trump during the 2016 election while representing Hillary Clinton
  • Allegations regarding Michael Sussmann (a former Perkins Coie attorney) pushing claims about Trump-Russia communications via Alfa Bank
  • Assertions that the firm worked with donors like George Soros to challenge election laws
  • Accusations of racial discrimination within the firm’s hiring and promotion practices
  • Concerns about the firm hosting an FBI workspace that could have been misused
  • Opposition to lawsuits filed by the firm against the previous Trump administration

This executive order represents a significant escalation in actions against a private law firm with political connections. The order appears to be part of President Trump’s stated agenda to “end the weaponization of government,” but raises questions about potential political targeting of a firm associated with Democratic causes and clients.

The suspension of security clearances and termination of government contracts for an entire law firm is an unusual and sweeping action that may face legal challenges. The order’s implementation could have far-reaching implications for government contracting practices and the relationship between the administration and private legal entities.

TLDR

This ‘fact’ sheet attempts to explain an executive order that suspends security clearances for Perkins Coie employees, restricts their government access, prohibits federal contracts with the firm, and mandates reviews of existing arrangements. The administration cites the firm’s alleged creation of a “false dossier” against Trump in 2016, Michael Sussmann’s claims about Trump-Russia communications, challenges to election laws, racial discrimination concerns, and potential misuse of FBI workspace access.

STOPPING ABUSES THAT UNDERMINE THE NATION:

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to suspend security clearances held by individuals at Perkins Coie LLP, pending a review of whether their access to sensitive information is consistent with the national interest.

  • Security clearances held by Perkins Coie LLP employees will be immediately suspended, pending a review of whether their access to sensitive information is consistent with the national interest.

    • The Federal Government will halt all material and services, including sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) access provided to Perkins Coie LLP and restrict its employees’ access to government buildings.

    • Federal Agencies will also refrain from hiring Perkins Coie LLP employees unless specifically authorized.

  • To ensure taxpayer dollars no longer go to contractors whose earnings subsidize partisan lawsuits against the United States, the Federal Government will prohibit funding contractors that use Perkins Coie LLP.

    • All Federal Government contracts with Perkins Coie LLP will undergo rigorous scrutiny, with agency heads directed to terminate engagements to the maximum extent permitted by law.

  • The practices of Perkins Coie LLP will be reviewed under Title VII to ensure compliance with civil rights laws against racial bias.

ENSURING GOVERNMENT SERVES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE:

President Trump’s Administration will not tolerate Perkins Coie LLP’s unethical and discriminatory actions that threaten our elections, military strength, and national security.

  • In 2016, Perkins Coie LLP hired Fusion GPS to manufacture a false “dossier” designed to steal an election while representing failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
  • Perkins Coie LLP pushed debunked claims of secret Trump-Russia communications via Alfa Bank, with attorney Michael Sussmann indicted for lying to the FBI about this scheme.
  • Perkins Coie LLP has worked with activist donors, including George Soros, to judicially overturn enacted election laws, such as those requiring voter identification.
    • A court was forced to sanction Perkins Coie attorneys for unethical lack of candor before the court.
  • Perkins Coie LLP has been accused of racially discriminating against its own attorneys, staff, and applicants.
    • Perkins Coie has publicly announced racial percentage quotas for hiring and promotions, violating civil rights laws, and excluded applicants from fellowships based on race until lawsuits forced change.
  • Perkins Coie LLP hosted an FBI workspace, raising concerns about partisan misuse of sensitive data during investigations targeting President Trump.
  • Perkins Coie LLP has filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration, including one designed to reduce military readiness.

A RETURN TO ACCOUNTABILITY:

President Trump is delivering on his promise to end the weaponization of government and protect the nation from partisan actors who exploit their influence.

  • President Trump is refocusing government operations to their core mission—serving the citizens of the United States.
  • President Trump signed an Executive Order to end the weaponization of the Federal Government on his first day in office after promising to “end forever the weaponization of government and the abuse of law enforcement against political opponents.”
  • President Trump revoked security clearances held by dozens of intelligence officials who falsely claimed in a 2020 letter, during the height of the U.S. presidential election season, that Hunter Biden’s laptop was tantamount to Russian disinformation.