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On Thursday, President Donald Trump initiated measures against WilmerHale, a law firm associated with the prosecutor who probed Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. This move is part of a broader effort targeting prominent US legal groups. The president instructed federal agencies to end contracts with WilmerHale, revoke its security clearances, and restrict its personnel from federal facilities.
President Trump criticized the firm, which had previously employed Robert Mueller, former special counsel, accusing it of compromising the legal profession’s ideals and engaging in practices that harm justice and US interests. This development underscores the president’s intensified campaign against perceived adversaries, prompting numerous legal entities to develop contingency strategies in anticipation of possible targeting.
The directive also highlighted Robert Mueller, former FBI director and past partner at the firm, who conducted the federal investigation into suspected collusion between Russia and Trump’s initial presidential campaign. Mueller left the firm in 2021. While the investigation did not uncover any collusion evidence, Trump, labeling it a “witch-hunt,” denounced it as politically motivated.
In the order, President Trump argued that Mueller’s investigation exemplified governmental overreach. He accused WilmerHale of “rewarding” Mueller and his team by reintegrating them into the firm following their leadership of what he termed one of the most biased investigations in US history.
WilmerHale responded by acknowledging the “unlawful order” and expressing intent to explore all available legal defenses. The firm emphasized its long-standing practice of representing a diverse array of clients, including in actions against administrations from both political parties.
This directive mirrors others recently issued against firms such as Paul Weiss and Perkins Coie, as well as a more focused order concerning Covington & Burling. Earlier this week, Trump also criticized Jenner & Block, where Andrew Weissman, a former partner, was involved in the Russia investigation with Mueller.
