Washington AG joins coalition in writing letter to not give into ‘bullying’ by Trump Administration

Washington Attorney General (AG) Nick Brown said lawyers should not back down to “bullying or retribution” by the Trump administration, the AG’s Office announced in a news release Wednesday.

Brown, alongside 20 other attorneys general, wrote an open letter to the legal community warning them to “stand strong” against any “illegal attempts” that the Trump administration may issue.

In the letter, the attorneys general write that President Donald Trump issued executive orders against five law firms, claiming to seek retribution over “ideological differences” as well as “punishing firms” for individual attorneys who are representing clients that are against the Trump administration.

This comes after the White House issued a written statement directing the heads of the Justice and Homeland Security Departments to “seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable and vexatious litigation against the United States.”

More on Trump’s executive order

These orders could require clients to share any contracts they may have with these firms, keep impacted lawyers out of public buildings, and ask for the attorneys general to “investigate” law firms that have programs or policies focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

According to a press release by the Washington AG’s Office, one firm has already decided to “abandon” diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, as well as offer $40 million in pro bono work for “causes” backed by President Trump.

“The legal community is a key pillar in our system of checks and balances, and helps protect people from tyranny,” Brown said in the news release. “The president attacking some law firms and demanding loyalty from others is clearly meant to bend the justice system to his will. I urge attorneys across Washington state to resist this attack on the rule of law.”

In their letter, the attorneys general argue that lawyers have an “obligation” to maintain the rule of law and should not drop any clients or make any decisions out of fear of retaliation. The coalition also states “they will not allow their offices to be used for political attacks against law firms that hold viewpoints unfavored by the administration.”