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Donald Trump has initiated a crackdown on the law firm WilmerHale, which has connections to the prosecutor who investigated claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The president has expanded his offensive against elite U.S. legal groups. On Thursday, Trump directed government agencies to terminate contracts with WilmerHale, suspend its security clearances, and limit the firm’s staff access to federal buildings.
Trump criticized the firm, where former special counsel Robert Mueller was previously a partner, stating that it has “abandoned the profession’s highest ideals and abused its pro bono practice to engage in activities that undermine justice and the interests of the United States.”
This action represents the latest in a series of attacks on sizeable legal firms, as the president intensifies efforts against what he perceives as adversaries, prompting legal groups to formulate contingency plans in case they are targeted.
The directive highlights Mueller, the former FBI director who worked at WilmerHale before being appointed in 2017 to lead a federal investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Trump’s initial presidential campaign. Mueller retired from the firm in 2021. Although the investigation did not find evidence of collusion, Trump labeled it a “witch-hunt” and claimed it was politicized.
In the order issued Thursday, Trump remarked that “Mueller’s investigation epitomizes the weaponization of government.” The directive accused WilmerHale of “rewarding” Mueller and his colleagues by welcoming them to the firm after they used federal power to conduct one of the most partisan investigations in U.S. history.
WilmerHale responded by acknowledging the “unlawful order” and expressed intentions to “pursue all appropriate remedies.” The firm emphasized its long-standing tradition of representing a diverse range of clients, including cases against administrations from both political parties.
This directive is similar to recent orders targeting other firms, including Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, and a more focused one against Covington Burling. Earlier in the week, Trump also launched an attack on Jenner & Block, where former partner Andrew Weissman collaborated with Mueller on the Russia investigation.
