Trump order targeting law firm is illegal, federal judge rules

A federal judge found President Trump's executive order targeting law firm Perkins Coie to be illegal, per the court ruling Friday.The big picture: The ruling, which bars the administration from enforcing the executive order, is the first time a court has permanently prohibited Trump from using his presidential power against a law firm he perceives to have threatened him politically.Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell sided with the law firm, one of the largest in the nation, in a 102-page opinion saying the executive order sends "the clear message: lawyers must stick to the party line, or else."The judge wrote, "Using the powers of the federal government to target lawyers for their representation of clients and avowed progressive employment policies in an overt attempt to suppress and punish certain viewpoints."However, Howell added, it "is contrary to the Constitution, which requires that the government respond to dissenting or unpopular speech or ideas with 'tolerance, not coercion.'"Catch up quick: Howell in March temporarily blocked parts of the executive order targeting Perkins Coie.The law firm, which asked the court to issue a restraining order, claimed that Trump's directive violated its rights to free speech and due process.Context: Trump directed federal agencies to end their contracts with Perkins Coie and limit its lawyers' access to federal buildings.He also called for an end to its lawyers' security clearances.The law firm represented Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and played a key role in commissioning the Steele dossier on Trump's alleged interactions with Russia.The White House and Perkins Coie did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment Friday evening.Go deeper: Trump strips security clearances of law firm over Steele dossier

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