This Isn’t Just About a Law Firm. It’s About All of Us.
What we’re seeing is the weaponization of the executive branch to silence legal opposition. It’s not just unethical—it’s unconstitutional.
I never thought I’d see the day when the President of the United States would use the full weight of his office—not to protect the Constitution, but to punish those who dare to uphold it.
But here we are. It’s happened over and over these past several months.
Now, again on April 9, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the law firm Susman Godfrey LLP. Not because they broke the law. Not because they posed any real threat to national security. But because they dared to do their job: to represent Dominion Voting Systems in its landmark defamation case against Fox News.
That case—the one where Fox agreed to pay $787.5 million after it was revealed they knowingly spread lies about the 2020 election. Yeah. Susman Godfrey helped make that happen.
And for that, they’re being punished.
Let’s be clear about what’s happening here. The President didn’t like that this firm helped expose the truth. He didn’t like that they embarrassed his allies. So now he’s trying to destroy them—by cutting off their access to government buildings, yanking security clearances, canceling their contracts, and even launching a civil rights investigation over their diversity programs.
This is personal vengeance dressed up as policy.
And it's not just Susman Godfrey. Trump’s administration has gone after a whole list of law firms: Perkins Coie, Covington, WilmerHale, Paul Weiss, Jenner & Block. Their crime? Representing clients Trump doesn’t like. Representing causes he opposes. Doing their jobs.
What we’re seeing is the weaponization of the executive branch to silence legal opposition. It’s not just unethical—it’s unconstitutional.
This is how autocrats operate. Not presidents. I wrote about some of the earlier cases here:
Weaponizing the White House: Trump’s Unconstitutional Attack Against Perkins Coie (March 12, 2025)
I’m angry. Because the foundation of our justice system—our entire democracy—is under attack. Not just from one man, but from everyone enabling him. From every cabinet member who signs off on this. From every advisor who calls a law firm “rogue” for challenging power with facts. From every pundit who parrots the line that these firms are the real threat.
They’re not the threat. They’re the defense. For us.
The lawyers under attack are the same people who ensure we have fair elections. Who hold liars accountable. Who protect whistleblowers, journalists, voters, and yes—even the unpopular. Because that’s the job.
You don’t have to love lawyers to understand the stakes here
If Trump can use executive power to blacklist firms simply because they represented someone he doesn’t like, what’s to stop him from coming after your accountant next? Your employer? Your pastor? Your teacher?
This is about more than law firms. It’s about the rule of law.
It’s about whether America remains a place where we resolve disagreements through legal argument, not executive retaliation. It’s about whether we still believe in checks and balances—or whether we’re okay letting one man act like judge, jury, and executioner.
This is what I believe: when government uses its power to punish legal advocacy, we’re no longer operating under democracy—we’re flirting with dictatorship.
I’m not okay with that. You shouldn’t be either.
We’ve been warned. Again and again. By constitutional scholars. By judges. By former DOJ officials from both parties. And now, through executive orders that read more like political hit jobs than policy.
I don’t care if you’re conservative, liberal, or politically exhausted—this should terrify you.
Because when lawyers can’t represent their clients without fear of government punishment, nobody’s rights are safe.
So let’s stop pretending this is normal.
It’s not.
It’s a five-alarm fire for the rule of law.
And if we don’t call it out—loudly, clearly, and now—we might not get the chance to later.
Mitch Jackson, Esq. | links
Uncensored Opinion is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
I'm proud to be one of 334 lawyers and firms who just signed tonight's newly filed Amicus Brief filed by Carolyn Elefant, Andrea Goldman and Kimberly Russell, Esq. in support of Perkins Coie’s challenge to Trump's retaliatory Executive Order. See Carolyn's post and read here. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mitchjackson_amicus334brieffiledpdf-powered-by-box-activity-7315879954083155968-fNGf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIvN_oBKgr0c1lAEA4cgrAwUxyg1gZjM8c
I concur wholeheartedly and pledge my support to uphold our constitution. The strength of our judicial system is the foundation of a just and equitable society. Any attempts to undermine or dismantle it represent a threat not only to individual freedoms but to the collective well-being of every citizen. As the saying from the Jim Crow era reminds us, 'If they come for your brother at night, they'll be back in the morning for you.' This historical truth underscores the importance of standing united in defense of fairness and justice. We must remain vigilant and ensure that such injustices never repeat themselves—against anyone, anywhere. Let us protect the principles that uphold equality and dignity for all."