The Daily: How Trump Is Scaring Big Law Firms Into Submission
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host: Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise
Introduction
In the March 18, 2025 episode of The Daily titled "How Trump Is Scaring Big Law Firms Into Submission," hosts Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise delve into former President Donald Trump's escalating campaign of retribution against prominent law firms, particularly focusing on Perkins Coie. The discussion highlights how Trump's actions are not only targeting specific firms but also posing a broader threat to the American legal system and the foundational principles of legal defense.
Background on Perkins Coie
Michael Barbaro sets the stage by recounting Perkins Coie’s significant role in political campaigns:
"The hands of the president in 2016. Hillary Clinton's campaign hired Perkins Coie to be its chief outside law firm." [03:28]
Perkins Coie, known for its robust Democratic affiliations, managed critical legal undertakings, including the controversial dossier on Donald Trump's potential ties to Russia. This association positioned the firm as a primary target for Trump's subsequent campaigns of retribution.
Trump's Initial Attack on Perkins Coie
Mike Schmidt elaborates on Trump's strategy to undermine Perkins Coie:
"With the stroke of his pen, he was able to essentially cripple the firm's ability to represent its clients and create an existential threat for it that could put it out of business." [02:40]
Trump's disapproval stemmed from the firm's involvement in the dossier, which became a cornerstone of his narrative against alleged deep-state conspiracies. By targeting Perkins Coie, Trump aimed to delegitimize their role and intimidate them into silence.
Legal Battles and Acquittal
Attempting to leverage the Justice Department, Trump sought to indict Perkins Coie partner Mark Elias for allegedly misleading the FBI. Mike Schmidt reports:
"The Perkins Coie partner being indicted for misleading the FBI during the 2016 campaign about Trump's potential ties to Russia. And that partner goes on trial but is acquitted." [07:09]
Despite Trump's efforts, the legal attempts to bring down Perkins Coie faltered, culminating in Elias's acquittal. This outcome, however, did not deter Trump's agenda against the firm.
Continued Retaliation and Executive Orders
Following his 2020 election loss and unsuccessful attempts to overturn the results, Trump intensified his attacks. Mike Schmidt details a pivotal moment:
"Trump goes after Perkins Coie in a way that I did not think he was capable of." [12:44]
Trump signed an executive order aiming to end "lawfare" and the "weaponization of government," specifically targeting Perkins Coie by barring the firm and its lawyers from federal buildings and interactions with the government:
"This is an absolute honor to sign." [14:10]
"Simply, your tie to Perkins Coie means that your work for the government is majorly in question." [14:54]
The executive order effectively blacklisted Perkins Coie, leading to an immediate loss of clients and creating an existential threat to the firm.
Impact on Legal Profession and American Justice System
The repercussions of Trump's actions extend beyond Perkins Coie, instilling fear across the legal community. Mike Schmidt emphasizes:
"You have a president who is using power in ways that we have never seen before." [21:34]
This climate of intimidation threatens the core of the American legal system, where every individual is entitled to vigorous legal defense. The fear that representing clients against the government could lead to similar reprisals stifles the willingness of other law firms to take on significant cases against Trump’s administration.
Broader Implications for Washington and Checks and Balances
The erosion of big law firms' capacity to challenge the administration undermines essential checks and balances:
"Trump is essentially taking one of his biggest adversaries off the playing field." [22:12]
"He has told the entire community of big law firms... what awaits them if they cross him or if they upset him." [18:52]
With major law firms intimidated into silence, the judicial system loses a vital mechanism for holding the executive branch accountable, concentrating unprecedented power in the hands of the president.
Expansion to Target Paul Weiss
In a continuation of his strategy, Trump expanded his campaign to include another major law firm, Paul Weiss. This new executive order mirrors the actions taken against Perkins Coie, targeting lawyers who have been adversarial in high-profile criminal cases against Trump:
"President Trump expanded his attack on the legal industry by issuing a new executive order that bars another major law firm, Paul Weiss, from interacting with the federal government." [23:27]
Similar to Perkins Coie, Paul Weiss is expected to challenge the executive order in court, highlighting a pattern of targeting firms that oppose Trump’s legal battles.
Conclusion
Donald Trump's campaign against Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss marks a significant departure from traditional political retribution, leveraging executive power to intimidate and undermine the legal community. This strategy not only threatens individual firms but also poses a broader risk to the integrity of the American legal system by eroding the capacity for legal defense and challenging governmental overreach.
Notable Quotes:
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Mike Schmidt on Trump’s retribution:
"He has actually been more creative and audacious and faster, frankly, than I ever thought he'd be at retribution." [02:09]
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Mike Schmidt on the impact on the justice system:
"An attack on the American justice system. Because in our country... everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense." [19:35]
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Michael Barbaro on the chilling effect:
"Essentially intimidating one of the last, maybe the last check and balance against his power." [22:18]
This comprehensive exploration underscores the formidable influence wielded by Trump over the legal sector and raises critical concerns about the future of legal defense and the balance of power within the United States government.