Trump’s Retaliation Against Law Firms Expands to Capitol Hill
President Donald Trump has intensified his efforts to punish law firms deemed anti-MAGA, with a Republican Senate staffer circulating an email instructing GOP offices to scrutinize the lobbying clients of Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie—two firms Trump has blacklisted.
The Friday email, obtained by POLITICO, encourages Senate Republicans to pay close attention to companies that employ these firms, linking to the Senate lobbying database and providing guidance on how to identify recent payments. This move extends Trump’s aggressive push against perceived liberal institutions beyond the White House and into Congress.
Trump’s Crackdown on Covington & Perkins Coie
The president has already taken executive action against Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie, terminating their federal contracts and revoking security clearances for certain attorneys.
- Perkins Coie, a Seattle-based firm, frequently represents Democratic entities, including the Democratic National Committee.
- Covington & Burling previously provided free legal assistance to special counsel Jack Smith, who prosecuted two criminal cases against Trump.
A source familiar with the Senate email campaign suggested it was a warning for Republican staffers, implying they should think twice before assisting businesses aligned with these law firms. The message was clear: supporting these firms could damage relationships with the Trump administration.
Potential Fallout for Corporate Clients
The pressure campaign may have ripple effects beyond Capitol Hill. The source noted that companies like Google, Meta, and Apple could reconsider their legal representation, fearing repercussions from the Trump White House.
Covington & Burling, while not a dominant lobbying powerhouse, still represents high-profile clients such as:
- Qualcomm – Tens of millions paid since 2004
- PhRMA – $980,000 in 2024 lobbying fees
- Samsung’s Intellectual Keystone Technology – $650,000 in 2024
- BP, the NFL, and American Tire Works (registered but inactive clients)
Perkins Coie’s lobbying footprint is even smaller, reporting just $55,000 in revenues last year from two clients: a small refinery coalition and Mississippi oil refiner Ergon.
Chilling Effect on the Legal Industry
Trump’s blacklisting strategy has caused concern within elite law firms, as many fear backlash from the administration. Some firms have distanced themselves from Covington and Perkins Coie rather than risk being targeted.
Meanwhile, Paul Weiss—a major law firm—faced backlash after agreeing to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to Trump and hiring an outside consultant to review its hiring practices.
Historical Precedent: GOP Targeting of Legal Opponents
This isn’t the first time Trump’s allies have sought to pressure law and lobbying firms. In 2023, the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative nonprofit, urged Congress to boycott firms employing former House committee staffers who investigated the January 6 Capitol attack.
The latest Senate push underscores Trump’s ongoing effort to reshape the legal landscape—punishing firms aligned with Democrats while rewarding those that cooperate with his administration.
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