By the power granted to me as President under the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I issue the following order:
Section 1. Background
Global law firms have long exerted disproportionate influence, often undermining the very judicial processes that uphold American values. Their activities have, at times, compromised community safety, imposed burdens on local businesses, restricted constitutional freedoms, and eroded the integrity of American elections. Alarmingly, some of these actions have been framed as altruistic efforts, conducted pro bono or “for the public good,” potentially leaving those without financial means without the legal representation they deserve. My administration will no longer tolerate the use of taxpayer dollars to support such detrimental practices.
We have already taken strides to mitigate the risks and misconduct associated with law firms, and I have concluded that further action is necessary to terminate government sponsorship of harmful activities by an additional firm: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss). In 2021, a partner from Paul Weiss, who previously served as a prominent prosecutor under Special Counsel Robert Mueller, initiated a pro bono lawsuit against individuals allegedly involved in the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident on behalf of the District of Columbia Attorney General.
In 2022, Paul Weiss employed the ethically questionable attorney Mark Pomerantz, who had previously departed the firm to join the Manhattan District Attorney’s office with the intent to fabricate a prosecution against me. According to colleagues, Pomerantz employed unethical tactics to influence witnesses in a manner that would implicate me. After failing to persuade even Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that a fraud case was viable, Pomerantz launched a media campaign to drum up support for this baseless prosecution.
Moreover, Paul Weiss exhibits discriminatory practices against its own employees based on race and other protected categories under civil rights laws. Like many large, influential law firms, their decisions about “targets” are reportedly influenced by race and gender. My administration is dedicated to eradicating such unlawful discrimination masquerading as “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives, ensuring that federal benefits align with U.S. laws and policies that promote national security and respect the democratic process. Entities engaging in blatant discrimination and actions contrary to U.S. interests should not have access to our nation’s secrets or be considered responsible stewards of federal funds.
Sec. 2. Security Clearance Review
(a) The Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and all pertinent heads of executive departments and agencies shall promptly undertake actions in accordance with applicable law to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss and Mark Pomerantz, pending a review of whether such clearances serve the national interest.
(b) The Office of Management and Budget shall assess all government assets, property, materials, and services, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, provided for the benefit of Paul Weiss. The heads of agencies supplying such materials or services shall, to the extent permissible by law, swiftly cease these provisions.
Sec. 3. Contracting
(a) To prevent taxpayer dollars from being funneled to federal contractors whose operations support activities misaligned with American interests—such as racial discrimination—government contracting agencies shall, as allowed by law, mandate contractors to disclose any business engagements with Paul Weiss and the relevance of that business to the government contract.
(b) Heads of agencies shall review all contracts involving Paul Weiss or entities that disclose business with Paul Weiss under subsection (a) of this section. To the extent permitted by law, they shall:
(i) take necessary actions to terminate any contract for which Paul Weiss is engaged to perform services, as much as allowed under applicable law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation;
(ii) align their funding decisions with the interests of U.S. citizens and the objectives of my administration, particularly as articulated in Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government). Within 30 days of this order, all agencies shall report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget regarding contracts with Paul Weiss or with entities engaged in business with Paul Weiss effective as of this order and any actions taken regarding those contracts.
Sec. 4. Racial Discrimination
Nothing in this order is to be interpreted as limiting actions authorized by section 4 of Executive Order 14230 of March 6, 2025 (Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP).
Sec. 5. Personnel
(a) The heads of all agencies shall, to the extent allowed by law, issue guidance restricting official access from federal buildings to employees of Paul Weiss when such access poses a threat to national security or is otherwise inconsistent with U.S. interests. Furthermore, heads of agencies shall provide guidance limiting government employees in their official capacities from engaging with Paul Weiss employees to ensure alignment with national security and other interests of the United States.
(b) Agency officials shall, as permitted by law, refrain from hiring former employees of Paul Weiss unless a waiver is granted by the agency head, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, confirming that such hiring will not jeopardize U.S. national security.
Sec. 6. General Provisions
(a) This order shall not be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or to its head; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be executed in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, nor does it, create any enforceable rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, their officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 14, 2025.
