USA: RSF files legal briefs to challenge Trump’s attacks on law firms, press freedom
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined 60 other press freedom and media organizations in filing three amicus briefs opposing President Donald Trump’s executive orders that retaliate against law firms representing clients he perceives as opponents. A free press depends on its right to petition for redress — especially against government overreach. By denying outlets and journalists critical of Trump access to legal support, the White House’s sanctions will inevitably have a chilling effect on American news reporting.
Since taking office in January, Donald Trump has taken an axe to press freedom, seeking to dismantle public media and punish independent outlets he disfavors. Now, the US president is cracking down on the law firms representing clients or causes that do not align with his political views via a flurry of executive orders ending their government contracts, suspending their security clearance, and more. Intimidating these law firms weakens the press’ access to legal counsel, leaving them with no protection against the barrage of attacks coming from the Trump administration and its allies.
In order to challenge these punitive measures against law firms, RSF has joined over 60 press freedom organizations, lawyers, and journalists in filling three amicus briefs in support of the legal firms Perkins Coie, Jenner and Block, and WilmerHale — all of whom have been the targets of sanctions from President Trump via executive orders. The initiative was spearheaded by The Intercept’s Press Freedom Defense Fund and the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) to support the three firms in seeking the nullification of these executive orders. All three cases are currently before the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
“Donald Trump keeps opening new fronts in his war on the press. He’s banned certain reporters from the White House, sued media outlets whose coverage he doesn’t like, and sicced the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on their parent companies. Now, he’s signing executive orders targeting individual law firms, making it much harder for the press to enlist legal counsel to defend itself. The angles of attack on America’s press freedom may vary, but the point of origin is the same: Donald Trump. To help ensure that journalism survives his mandate, RSF has joined three amicus briefs against Trump’s vindictive attacks on law firms defending clients or causes at odds with his views.”
Clayton Weimers
Executive Director, RSF USA
