Federal judge strikes down Trump order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie

Federal judge strikes down Trump order targeting the law firm Perkins Coietoggle caption Alex Wong/Getty ImagesA federal judge on Friday struck down President Trump's executive order targeting the prominent law firm of Perkins Coie, finding it unconstitutional and declaring it an attack on the foundational principles of the American legal system. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell is the first to permanently block an executive order issued by Trump punishing a law firm for representing clients or causes that he dislikes. Perkins Coie was the first law firm targeted with a sweeping executive order that imposed potentially existential punitive measures on it. Trump's order suspended security clearances for the firm's employees, barred its attorneys from access to government buildings and officials, and ended government contracts with the firm. Trump has issued similar executive orders against several other prominent law firms that he views as political enemies.