Donald Trump’s retribution tour against Big Law has arrived on Capitol Hill. An email circulated by a high-level Republican Senate staffer to GOP Senate offices Friday instructs them to pay heed to the lobbying clients of Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie, two prominent law firms that Trump has singled out for punishment. The Friday missive mimics the president’s recent efforts to crack down on law firms, universities, and other entities deemed excessively liberal or anti-MAGA.
Trump’s Targeted Approach
The directive is the latest turn in Trump’s campaign to tame the liberal establishment with strong-arm tactics that have already brought an Ivy League university and a top Washington law firm to heel. So far, the effort has emanated solely from the White House; now, with the Senate missive, it has spread to Capitol Hill.
Impact Beyond Congress
A person familiar with the email who was granted anonymity to speak freely said the goal was to signal “that maybe Senate Republican staffers should consider twice whether or not they should be helpful to these individuals [that hire Covington and Perkins Coie], given their affiliation with firms deemed to be anti-Trump.”
The person predicted the impact could extend beyond Congress: “If you’re Google or Meta or Apple – you’re thinking, ‘Do I really want to use these firms?’ That could make it harder to work with the White House.”
Implications for Lobbying Practices
Seattle-based Perkins Coie regularly represents Democratic entities including the Democratic National Committee. Covington and Burling provided free legal services to special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two criminal cases against Trump.
Neither Covington & Burling nor Perkins Coie have lobbying practices on par with some of the top-earning firms on K Street, though Covington has several big-ticket clients.
Debates and Concerns
Ever since Trump started targeting top law firms associated with Democrats, many lawyers from other white-shoe firms have debated whether to back the blacklisted firms. So far, though, they have declined to get involved. Lawyers at numerous other firms are very worried about alienating Trump, lest they be targeted next.
This isn’t the first time Republicans have sought to squeeze law and lobbying firms deemed at odds with Trump.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Trump’s crackdown on top law firms has significant implications for Capitol Hill and the broader political landscape. It reflects a targeted approach to influence lobbying practices and Senate staffers’ decisions. The repercussions extend beyond Congress, prompting debates and concerns within the legal profession. As the situation unfolds, the dynamics between the administration and key players in the legal and lobbying sectors continue to evolve.
