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EO 14230Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14230

Addressing Risks From Perkins Coie LLP

Executive Order 14230 targets the law firm Perkins Coie LLP with multiple punitive measures: suspending security clearances, ceasing government provision of goods and services, requiring contractor disclosure of business with the firm, reviewing and terminating contracts, investigating the firm and other large law firms for racial discrimination, and restricting federal employees from hiring or engaging with Perkins Coie personnel. The order frames these actions as responses to the firm's alleged role in producing the 2016 Steele dossier, election-related litigation, and DEI hiring practices.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 11781

Impact dates

  1. Agencies submit contract assessments to OMB

Key directives

  • Suspend security clearances for Perkins Coie individuals pending review
  • Cease government provision of goods, property, and SCIF access to Perkins Coie
  • Require contractors to disclose business with Perkins Coie
  • Review and terminate contracts with Perkins Coie
  • Within 30 days: Submit contract assessments to OMB
  • EEOC Chair review large law firm practices for Title VII compliance
  • Attorney General investigate large law firms for discrimination compliance
  • Limit physical access of Perkins Coie employees to federal buildings
  • Limit official engagement between government employees and Perkins Coie
  • Refrain from hiring Perkins Coie employees absent agency head waiver with OPM consultation

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Suspension of active security clearances for Perkins Coie individuals
  • Identification of government goods/services provided to Perkins Coie
  • Cessation of provision of government materials and SCIF access
  • Guidance limiting physical access to federal buildings for Perkins Coie employees
  • Guidance limiting official engagement between government employees and Perkins Coie personnel

Near term (90d)

  • Within 30 days: Agencies submit contract assessments to OMB
  • Contract reviews and termination actions
  • Investigation of large law firm discrimination practices by Attorney General and EEOC Chair

Long term

  • Potential structural changes to law firm DEI practices
  • Precedent for targeting specific private firms with executive action
  • Possible litigation challenging order's legality
  • Broader chilling effect on law firm engagement with opposition political activities

Risks & tensions

  • First Amendment and due process concerns: targeting a specific private law firm by name raises serious constitutional questions about viewpoint discrimination and bill of attainder
  • Separation of powers tension: executive branch unilaterally punishing private legal counsel could chill representation of political opponents
  • Vague statutory authority: repeated 'to the extent permitted by law' language suggests uncertain legal basis for several directives
  • Potential for selective enforcement: contractor disclosure requirement creates precedent for targeting other firms
  • EEOC/DOJ investigation scope expands beyond Perkins Coie to 'large, influential, or industry leading law firms'—breadth unclear
  • Security clearance suspension without individualized adjudication may violate procedural protections
  • OMB contract review could conflict with existing procurement regulations and due process requirements
Executive Order 14230: Addressing Risks From Perkins Coie LLP · Executive Orders