Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Risks from Jenner & Block

Fact Sheets

TLDR

The referenced executive order suspends security clearances for Jenner & Block employees and terminates government contracts with the firm, claiming “partisan goals” and citing concerns about former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann. The order makes unsubstantiated claims about weaponization of government, prosecutorial misconduct, and racial discrimination, raising concerns about due process, rule of law, and potential political retaliation against perceived opponents.

This “fact sheet” is for a recent executive order against Jenner & Block LLP that is a concerning abuse of presidential power that mischaracterizes the firm’s work and violates fundamental principles of due process and the rule of law. Let’s examine the key claims:

The blanket suspension of security clearances for all Jenner & Block employees is an overreach that lacks proper justification. There is no evidence presented that the firm or its employees pose a national security risk. This action appears to be politically motivated retaliation rather than a legitimate security measure.

Ending all government contracts with Jenner & Block without due process or specific allegations of wrongdoing is likely unconstitutional. A federal judge has already temporarily blocked parts of a similar order against another law firm, Perkins Coie, indicating such actions may violate rights to free speech and due process.

The claim that Jenner & Block pursues “partisan goals” is unsubstantiated. The firm represents clients challenging some of Trump’s policies, which is a normal function of law firms in a democratic society. Characterizing this as “partisan” misrepresents the role of lawyers in upholding the rule of law.

The executive order’s focus on Andrew Weissmann, a former prosecutor who worked on the Mueller investigation, is misleading:

  1. It describes the Mueller investigation as “entirely unjustified,” which contradicts the facts. The investigation led to numerous indictments and convictions.

  2. The characterization of Weissmann’s career as “rooted in weaponized government and abuse of power” is hyperbolic and unsupported. While his prosecutorial tactics have been criticized, he is also recognized as an experienced and skilled prosecutor.

  3. The claim about Weissmann’s “pursuit of nonexistent crimes” and “bribery to foreign nationals” is not substantiated by credible sources.

The portrayal of the Arthur Andersen case is oversimplified. While the Supreme Court did overturn the conviction, this was due to overly broad jury instructions, not because of “unlawfully aggressive prosecution”. The case’s complexity is not accurately represented in the executive order.

The accusation that Jenner & Block discriminates against its employees based on race is a serious claim that requires evidence, which is not provided in the order. Without substantiation, this appears to be a baseless allegation.

This executive order represents a dangerous precedent of using presidential power to target perceived political opponents. It mischaracterizes legal representation as partisan activity and makes sweeping punitive actions without due process. Such actions threaten the independence of the legal profession and the fundamental principle of rule of law in a democratic society.

SUSPENDING SECURITY CLEARENCES TO PROTECT THE NATIONAL INTEREST: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to suspend security clearances held by individuals at Jenner & Block LLP (Jenner) pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

  • Security clearances held by Jenner 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 Jenner and restrict its employees’ access to government buildings.

    • Federal Agencies will also refrain from hiring Jenner employees unless specifically authorized.

  • To ensure taxpayer dollars no longer go to contractors whose earnings subsidize activities not aligned with American interests, the Federal Government will terminate contracts that involve Jenner.

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

ADDRESSING ROGUE LAW FIRMS: President Trump believes that lawyers and law firms that engage in conduct detrimental to critical American interests should not be subsidized by American taxpayers or have access to our Nation’s secrets.

  • Jenner pursues partisan goals, supports attacks against women and children based on the denial of the biological reality of sex, and backs the obstruction of efforts to prevent illegal aliens from committing horrific crimes and trafficking deadly drugs within our borders.

  • Jenner has been accused of discriminating against its own employees on the basis of race and other categories prohibited by civil rights laws, including through the use of race-based “targets.”

  • Jenner was also “thrilled” to re-hire Andrew Weissmann, a prosecutor known for his unethical behavior, including his role in engaging in partisan prosecution as part of Robert Mueller’s entirely unjustified investigation.

    • Weissmann’s career has been rooted in weaponized government and abuse of power, including devastating tens of thousands of American families who worked for the now defunct Arthur Andersen LLP, only to have his unlawfully aggressive prosecution overturned by the Supreme Court.

    • The numerous reports of Weissman’s dishonesty, including pursuit of nonexistent crimes, bribery to foreign nationals, and overt demand that the federal government pursue a political agenda against President Trump, is a concerning indictment of Jenner’s values and priorities.

A RETURN TO ACCOUNTABILITY: President Trump is delivering on his promise to end the weaponization of government and protect the nation from partisan and bad faith actors who exploit their influence.

  • In addition to Jenner, President Trump has also taken action to hold other major law firms accountable.
  • This Executive Order aligns with President Trump’s priority on refocusing government operations to serve the citizens of the United States.
  • It builds on President Trump’s previous actions, such as signing an Executive Order on his first day in office to end the weaponization of the Federal government and ensure accountability for past misconduct.
  • It follows his revocation of security clearances held by intelligence officials who falsely claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation during the 2020 election.