FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
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Phone: 410-576-7009
BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, as part of a
coalition of 21 attorneys general, issued an open letter to the legal community warning of illegal
attempts by the Trump administration to deter lawyers from challenging the administration’s
actions or representing clients disfavored by the administration. The attorneys general call on the
legal community to resist attempts at bullying or retribution and uphold the values of their
profession.
“At a time when the rule of law in our country is under threat, the legal community’s
commitment to fairness, justice, and equal treatment under the law has never been more
vital,” said Attorney General Brown. “Our duty is to uphold the Constitution and protect the
rights of all people. To those who face political pressure or intimidation for doing what’s right —
know that we stand with you.”
Attorney General Brown and the attorneys general argue that the administration’s
unconstitutional actions are a gross abuse of authority and an attack on the practice of law. The
attorneys general note in their letter that President Trump has issued executive orders against five
law firms, seeking retribution over ideological differences and punishing firms for the actions of
individual attorneys representing clients adverse to the president or his supporters. The president
also issued a memorandum last week threatening all law firms and lawyers that engage in
litigation against the federal government.
Trump’s actions seek to cancel all government contracts with the targeted firms, strip all of the
firms’ attorneys of their security clearances and threaten the same against any firm that dares to
step out of line. The orders bar lawyers from the firms from entering public buildings, and they
violate client privacy, including mandating that clients disclose their contracts with the targeted
firms. President Trump also singled out individual attorneys for condemnation because they
represented clients who challenged his administration’s actions.
In addition, one of the orders calls on the U.S. Attorney General, in consultation with state
attorneys general, to “investigate” law firms that have programs or policies focused on diversity,
equity, and inclusion.
In their letter, the attorneys general note that lawyers have an obligation to uphold the rule of law
and should not give in to intimidation by dropping clients or refusing to take on certain cases due
to fear of retribution. They encourage firms to stand strong and support their colleagues. The
coalition also makes clear that they will not allow their offices to be used for political attacks
against law firms that hold viewpoints unfavored by the administration.
Finally, Attorney General Brown and the attorneys general condemn the administration’s
baseless attacks on federal judges who have ruled against President Trump and his allies. The
coalition urges the entire legal community to speak out against such attacks, including calls for
the impeachment of judges who rule against the administration’s actions.
Joining Attorney General Brown in sending the letter are the attorneys general of Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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