Another activist judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the top law firm WilmerHale, ruling it unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon struck down the entire order as unconstitutional, using exclamation points and dramatic language to lecture the administration about the Founding Fathers.
Judge Leon, appointed by former President George W. Bush, issued a 73-page opinion permanently blocking Trump’s executive order to limit WilmerHale’s influence by suspending security clearances for its employees and canceling government contracts with the firm.
The judge ruled that the order violated the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments and the separation of powers doctrine.
This marks yet another instance of federal judges obstructing President Trump’s agenda since his return to office.
Similar judicial roadblocks have impeded his immigration policies and economic plans, including another federal judge’s recent decision to temporarily halt the administration’s attempt to end New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program.
The WilmerHale law firm became a target due to its connection with Robert Mueller, who led the lengthy investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Trump’s executive order accused “Big Law” firms like WilmerHale of actions that undermined justice and national security, imposing punitive measures including banning employees from federal buildings.
“For the reasons set forth below, I have concluded that this order must be struck down in its entirety as unconstitutional,” Judge Leon wrote.
Judge Leon’s opinion was filled with what observers noted as unusual emotional language and contained 27 exclamation points.
In one particularly dramatic passage, he wrote that allowing Trump’s order to stand “would be unfaithful to the judgment and vision of the Founding Fathers!” Leon also bluntly rejected the administration’s legal arguments, writing “Please—that dog won’t hunt!”
The ruling follows similar decisions made by other federal judges who blocked Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms.
District Judge John Bates recently stopped an order against Jenner Block, while another case against Trump’s order targeting Susman Godfrey is currently pending a decision.
“If you take on causes disfavored by President Trump, you will be punished!” the judge added.
WilmerHale, who sued over the order and called it an “unprecedented assault” on the judicial system, celebrated the court’s decision as a strong affirmation of constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy rejected Trump’s request to amend a decision requiring the return of deported migrants for due process, further hampering the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
These ongoing judicial setbacks highlight the continuing struggle between the Trump administration’s efforts to implement its agenda and a judiciary that appears increasingly willing to challenge executive authority.
