Attorney General Ellison challenges unconstitutional executive orders that undermine the rule of law

Joins coalition of 21 AGs in amicus briefs in support of law firms Trump Administration targeted for retribution

April 11, 2025 (SAINT PAUL)  — Attorney General Ellison joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general today in filing two amicus briefs in support of law firms that are challenging unconstitutional executive orders that impose severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored by the Trump administration.

"Lawyers are not spectators to the Constitution, we are its agents,” said Attorney General Ellison. “It is downright authoritarian for Donald Trump to retaliate against lawyers and law firms that challenge his unconstitutional executive orders and his illegal actions. Donald Trump has developed a deeply disturbing pattern of using any tools at his disposal to harm those who disagree with him. I am committed to standing up to Donald Trump’s attempts to silence critics and force compliance with his unlawful actions. Our founders established a democracy, our forbearers worked hard to improve that democracy, and we must do everything in our power to preserve that democracy for future generations.”

President Donald Trump has issued executive orders retaliating against law firms whose advocacy, clients and personnel he dislikes. These orders require federal officials to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at the law firms, to refuse to engage with or hire employees of these firms, and to deny the law firms’ personnel entry to federal buildings. The orders also direct federal contractors to disclose any business they do with the law firms so that agencies can terminate any contract with the firms.

The coalition’s briefs were filed in support of law firms in cases challenging two of these orders in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of the President. In both cases, the plaintiff law firms obtained temporary injunctive relief and are now asking a judge to permanently block the executive orders against them.

Attorney General Ellison and the coalition argue that the administration’s unconstitutional actions are a gross abuse of authority that threaten the rule of law. They note that a fair and functioning judicial system depends on lawyers being willing to work on controversial cases or represent unpopular clients without fearing retribution by the government. The attorneys general further argue that the orders will harm the residents of their states by making it more difficult for many potential clients – especially those who currently rely on pro bono representation – to obtain legal services and vindicate their rights in court.

The coalition was led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. Joining them and Attorney General Ellison in filing the briefs are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.