1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

I am writing today to urge you to support, protect, and defend the rule of law from the Trump Administration by standing with lawyers and law firms under attack. A cornerstone of the U.S. legal system is that everyone deserves a defense. We believe this so much that our Constitutional order requires representation even for indigent individuals who have committed crimes and in Louisiana for parents who have been accused of abuse or neglect of their children. The work lawyers do representing clients is important work. And even if the client is guilty, unpopular, or otherwise undesirable they deserve representation. Lawyers and law firms must not be punished because they represent political opponents or unpopular figures. This is blatantly corrupt and affront to the rule of law. Under the Trump Administration, we have seen blatant attacks on these bedrock principles. First the harassment, hounding, and termination of career government lawyers who were investigating the crimes of individuals associated with the January 6, 2021 incidents. As members of Congress you witnessed a violent mob penetrative the Capitol to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power while chanting about killing Vice President Mike Pence. These actions definitively required investigation. The lawyers who investigated these matters were not partisans or political actors. They were career civil servants. They engaged with these investigations at the behest of Congress and on behalf of the people in service of our constitutional order. Punishing them with harassment and termination is despicable and undermines the President's sworn oath to protect and uphold the Constitution. And now, the President has issued executive orders villifying two excellent nationally known law firms because of who their clients are. These law firms adhere to the highest ethics. Their recruitment processes are fair and rigorous. Their practice is excellent. It is disgusting that the President, who has sworn to uphold the rule of law and our Constitutional order, would seek to attack these legitimate firms and the lawyers in them because of some perceived slight or because of who they represent. President Trump is attempting to use his elected office precisely in the way the framers feared. He is engagihg in tyrannical efforts to punish perceived enemies in violation of his oath of office. This is un-American way. It is defying the rule of law and our constitutional order. And it must end. Congress represents the people and the rule of law. Stop outrageous attacks on career lawyers and law firms for politically motivated reasons. When the history of this time is written, it is important for the elected representatives of Louisiana to be on the right side of the issue. Please reply to this email to let me know how you intend to protect the rule of law and stand up for our Constitutional order. Thank you for your consideration.