The order also directed agencies to take steps to cancel government contracts involving the firm
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending security clearances for employees of New York-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, further restricting their access to federal buildings and officials.
The order, issued on Friday, also directed federal agencies to take steps to cancel government contracts involving the firm, a report from Reuters noted. The White House stated that it took the move to assess whether such security clearances remain in the national interest.
“President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to suspend security clearances held by individuals at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest,” the White House said.
The order marks the third time Trump has taken action against a major US law firm. The firm has been linked to high-profile Democrats, including former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and has ties to individuals involved in past investigations into Trump’s activities.
A key figure associated with the firm is Mark Pomerantz, a former partner who later joined the Manhattan district attorney’s office and investigated Trump’s alleged hush money payments. Paul Weiss clarified that Pomerantz left the firm in 2012 and had no recent affiliation. Reuters reported that the investigation resulted in a jury finding Trump guilty, though he has denied any wrongdoing.
The latest order follows a similar move against Perkins Coie, another law firm with Democratic ties. Earlier this month, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s order against Perkins Coie, citing constitutional concerns. A separate executive order last month revoked security clearances for two lawyers from Covington & Burling, a firm involved in cases against Trump’s administration.
Law firms targeted by Trump’s executive orders have previously challenged his administration’s policies on issues such as immigration and transgender rights. According to Reuters, Paul Weiss has not been directly involved in litigation against Trump’s administration but remains home to influential legal figures from past Democratic administrations.
