This article was published in The Logoff, a daily newsletter designed to keep you updated on the Trump administration without allowing political news to dominate your life. Subscribe here.
Welcome to The Logoff: Today, I’m highlighting significant private institutions yielding to Donald Trump’s pressures — alongside a law firm showcasing an alternative approach.
What’s new? Donald Trump revoked an executive order targeting Paul, Weiss — one of the largest law firms in the nation — after it committed to providing $40 million in pro bono legal services on issues supported by the Trump administration. The order had stripped the firm of its security clearances and sought to terminate its federal contracts due to its lawsuit against January 6 rioters and a former partner’s involvement in a Trump prosecution.
Is this a common occurrence? No — but it reflects a growing trend of influential private sector entities succumbing to Trump’s threats regarding their businesses. Columbia University recently capitulated to Trump’s demands after he threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funding. Colleges nationwide are also taking similar measures to safeguard their funding.
What alternatives do they have? To resist. Perkins Coie, another firm whose security clearances were targeted by Trump, initiated a lawsuit. Last week, a federal judge temporarily halted the administration from implementing Trump’s order, indicating it likely infringes on the firm’s First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. (In retaliation, the Trump administration attempted to disqualify the judge from the case today.)
What’s the broader context? These are influential institutions with considerable resources. Yes, they are still less powerful than the federal government, and they stand to lose significantly. (The Times reports that Paul, Weiss contemplated its own legal challenge but regarded the financial risks as too great.) However, we potentially have even more at stake if the rule of law is supplanted by a system where the president can use federal power to exact personal retribution and enforce conformity with his agenda.
And with that, it’s time to log off… I found this (very brief) piece about a Dutch initiative delightful, as it helps individuals find something calming online — in this instance, observing fish swim — while also participating in a small act of environmentalism. You can read about the “fish doorbell” here. Thank you for all the book suggestions, and I look forward to seeing you back here on Monday. Enjoy your weekend!
