1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action against the Trump administration's systematic intimidation of lawyers and law firms. On June 16, 2025, the American Bar Association filed a lawsuit against the federal government documenting how the administration has weaponized executive branch powers to coerce attorneys into abandoning clients and causes the president opposes. The administration's tactics are deeply troubling. They have terminated security clearances of targeted firms, severed government contracts with law firms and their clients, limited access to federal buildings, and refused to hire employees of certain firms for federal positions. These actions have created a pervasive chilling effect across the legal profession, with many attorneys now unwilling to take on representations requiring them to sue the federal government due to fear of becoming the next target. This policy strikes at the foundation of our constitutional system. As the ABA lawsuit emphasizes, lawyers play a critical role in our democracy, and without skilled attorneys willing to bring and argue cases, the judiciary cannot function as a meaningful check on the executive branch. Even though some firms have successfully challenged these orders in court, those victories only protect specific firms. The broader intimidation campaign continues, forcing many firms to enter deals with the administration to avoid becoming targets. These actions violate fundamental First Amendment rights by using government coercion to suppress free speech, discriminating based on viewpoints held by lawyers and law firms, and restricting the right of citizens to petition the government. As ABA President William R. Bay stated, there has never been a more urgent time to defend the legal profession and the rule of law itself. I urge you to publicly condemn this Law Firm Intimidation Policy, support legislation to prohibit such retaliation against attorneys, and use your oversight authority to investigate these constitutional violations. Our system of checks and balances depends on lawyers being free to represent clients without fear of government reprisal.