In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order aimed at the prestigious law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP after they made a significant promise to support his administration. The firm pledged to provide the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services over the course of Trump’s term, which played a pivotal role in the White House’s decision to reverse the order.
The executive order, signed by Trump on March 14, had initially terminated federal contracts with Paul, Weiss and suspended security clearances for its attorneys, alleging that the firm was undermining the U.S. judicial system. Notably, its provisions were aimed at dismantling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies which Trump has voiced his opposition to during his presidency.
Following a meeting between Trump and Brad Karp, chairman of Paul, Weiss, it was agreed that the firm would abandon controversial DEI initiatives, committing to a “merit-based” approach in hiring and promotions. This aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to eliminate what he views as inappropriate systemic biases in federal contracting.
Trump took to Truth Social to announce the decision, expressing gratitude towards the firm for their cooperation: “Paul, Weiss has agreed to enhance our efforts by committing to various concessions. Their promise of $40 million in legal services demonstrates a commitment to supporting our Administration’s initiatives.”
The rescinded order had categorized Paul, Weiss as playing a critical role in undermining judicial processes, with references to a pro bono lawsuit linked to the January 6 riots at the Capitol. Trump’s administration remains in the spotlight with ongoing discussions concerning previous allegations against him, including a conviction related to hush-money payments, drawing in significant public attention.
In 2023, Paul, Weiss reported annual revenues exceeding $2 billion and has successfully maintained a workforce of over 1,000 legal professionals. The original suspension of security clearances could have significantly hampered the firm’s ability to work with various high-profile clients across corporate and financial sectors.
This latest development not only indicates Trump’s continuing influence over federal contracts but also highlights a potential shift in legal and corporate alliances as he navigates the complexities of his administration’s policies moving forward.
As the narrative develops, Trump continues to face legal scrutiny, with other firms, such as Perkins Coie, challenging similar orders in court. The dynamics between Trump and high-profile law firms could set a precedent for future federal contracting practices.