President Donald J. Trump has extracted extraordinary guarantees from the multinational white-shoe law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Paul, Weiss) in exchange for retracting an executive order stripping the firm of their security clearance and government contracts. Paul Weiss had been a major behind-the-scenes player in the lawfare efforts against Trump over the last four years, along with representing several left-wing causes, including providing legal services for abortionists following the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
Notably, Paul, Weiss has agreed to apologize for the actions of a former partner at the law firm, Mark F. Pomerantz, who instigated a Manhattan District Attorney investigation into Trump that resulted in DA Alvin Bragg’s so-called hush money prosecution. Additionally, the firm has agreed not to deny pro bono services based on the client’s political views and will provide the federal government the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services supporting President Trump’s agenda over the next four years, among other concessions.
‘RESTORING OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE.’
“Paul, Weiss agrees that the bedrock principle of American Justice is that it must be fair and nonpartisan for all. Our Justice System is betrayed when it is misused to achieve political ends,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Thursday. “Lawyers and law firms play a vital role in ensuring that we live up to that standard as a Nation. Law firms should not favor any political party when it comes to choosing their clients. Firms also should not make decisions on whom to hire based on a person’s political affiliation. To do otherwise is to deny some Americans an equal opportunity for our services while favoring others.”
“Lawyers abandon the profession’s highest ideals when they engage in partisan decision-making, and betray the ethical obligation to represent those who are unpopular or disfavored in a particular environment,” he added.
In a statement announcing the concessions, the Trump White House said: “The President is agreeing to this action in light of a meeting with Paul, Weiss Chairman, Brad Karp, during which Mr. Karp acknowledged the wrongdoing of former Paul, Weiss partner, Mark Pomerantz, the grave dangers of Weaponization, and the vital need to restore our System of Justice.”
ANTI-TRUMP, PRO-CHINA.
The National Pulse has previously reported that former Obama government Attorney General Loretta Lynch—a member of the Paul, Weiss litigation department—drew Congressional scrutiny over her U.S. lobbying work for Chinese drone company DJI. The Department of Defense identifies DJI as a Chinese military tech producer.
Additionally, Roberta Kaplan—the attorney representing E. Jean Carroll—and U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan—who presided over Carroll’s defamation case against Trump—worked together at Paul, Weiss in the 1990s.
“We are gratified that the President has agreed to withdraw the Executive Order concerning Paul, Weiss. We look forward to an engaged and constructive relationship with the President and his Administration,” Paul, Weiss Chairman Brad Karp said in a statement praising President Trump’s decision to lift the executive order against the law firm.