WASHINGTON — In a dramatic reversal, President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order targeting a powerhouse international law firm—but only after the firm caved to his demands.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton, a legal giant, was in the crosshairs of a White House order that threatened to strip its attorneys of active security clearances and cancel federal contracts. The reason? Trump took issue with past legal work connected to the firm.
But after high-stakes negotiations, Paul, Weiss agreed to sweeping concessions, including:
- Pledging $40 million in free legal services to support Trump-backed policies.
- Scrapping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices.
- Taking on pro bono cases across the political spectrum to align with the administration’s vision.
Following the deal, firm chairman Brad Karp praised the president’s decision to withdraw the order, signaling a shift in corporate America’s approach to dealing with Trump.
This isn’t the first time a major company has bowed to pressure. Tech giants like Meta and ABC have settled lawsuits by making payments to Trump’s future presidential library, while other financial institutions have quietly rolled back DEI programs to stay in the administration’s good graces.
With Trump’s executive orders reshaping corporate policies, the question remains—who’s next?
