Donald Trump’s intimidation tactics are not new. In the midst of the civil rights movement, the segregation persecuted our civil rights lawyers.
People take part in a large-scale protest against Trump and March in New York, New York, April 5, 2025.
(Mostafa Bassim / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Our collective fantasy has a common nightmare on how democracy is lowered. Tanks that are rolled. The war is broken. Blood spilled.
But history tells another story – less dramatic, but no less destructive. Most democracies do not die from the shot. They die gradually. Quietly. Passively. Correctly recalled. Freedom is limited. The norm crashed. Collective silence. Soon you look back and understand that the forests of democracy were disassembled in mind.
That is why the rule of the law must be protected by any cost. Conclusions on it are not simple political disputes. They are the Canary in the coal mine. And today, these Canaries are suffocating in the air.
Since returning to the White House less than three months ago, Donald Trump has trodden constitutional norms, civil rights and rule of law. He ordered the arrest of peaceful participants of the rally, pulled out LGBTQ+ protection, undermined the rights to vote, deported legal residents, ignited unbridled hatred, which fueled anti-Semitism and resurrected the level of anti-black racism, which is not observed in the modern era. There are proverbs here, but instead of wearing rifles and soldiers, they are armed with executive orders, presidents and white nationalist Codespeak.
One of the most disturbing cases of Trump’s ignoring for the rule of the law took place last month in a number of executive actions, which call and punished different legal firms and lawyers who represented customers, which the president considers political enemies. On March 6, Trump sent Perkins Koi for presenting his political competitors during the 2016 elections and allegedly illegal diversity, justice and practice. On March 25, he aimed at Jenner and a block for the past employment of the prosecutor, who participated in the investigation of Robert Mueller’s special lawyer for the choice. Two days later, on March 27, he aimed Wilmer Catler Pickering Hayle and Darra for the past employment of Mueller himself. And on March 23, Trump issued a wider memorandum managing the Ministry of Justice – in the theory of the impartial referee of the law, but in accordance with this administration, the tool for implementing the vendette president – to seek sanctions against lawyers or firms who challenge him with allegedly “frivolous” applications.
These are not differences in politics and differences of opinions; These are direct attacks on the independence of the legal profession. And, retelling District Judge US Beril Howell Describing the executive order, punishing perkins, the volume and scale of attacks on the legal profession must send chills down the spine.
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Unfortunately, in the legal protection fund, we know this tactic better than any other legal organization in the country, unfortunately – we lived before. In the midst of the civil rights movement of segregation throughout the southern armed state, the pursuit and intimidation of our civil rights lawyers, trying to prevent us from propaganda. Alabama demanded that Naacp, with which we participated until 1957, revealed its members. Texas falsely accused and sued Naacp and LDF for “bear charges”, including allegedly profiting at the request of non -profit status. Georgia’s tax authorities were imprisoned by the President of the Atlanta Naacp. And Arkansas dissolved the state Naacp executive order.
Then, as it is now, the goal was simple: destroy the lawyers, and you weaken the prospect of the opposition. Fortunately, this is not the way the story is over, and it is not as destined now. We, the American people, mean to record another course.
The president’s actions are not just authoritarian; They are also deeply non -American. They threaten the constitutional principles that each person and the institution deserve a legitimate representation, and that lawyers must be free to do their work without fear of repression. This principle is basic – not only for our profession, but also for the American democracy.
That’s why ldf filed a short short Last week in Perkins Coie LLP vs. US Department of JusticeAnd also on behalf of the law firms Wilmer Hail and Jenner and the block, calling the court to reject this brazen abuse of the executive power. If lawyers are forced to choose their customers based on the fear of retaliation, the rule of the law and the constitutional order that it is subjected to crumble. And without an independent bar and the judiciary, there will be no check of Trump’s lawlessness.
Indeed, we only see the beginning of Trump’s radical agenda, including these tactics intimidation and normalization of ideas that are once considered incredible. In recent weeks, after sending hundreds of migrants, the administration considered the brutal members of the gang to the Center for Terrorism Salvador, without presenting evidence of such membership (beyond the incorrect tattoos), Trump’s President carelessly and repeatedly swimming the idea of throwing US prisoners into a glorious prison degree. This is a concept – what would be a massive violation of civil and human rights and civil liberties of American citizens – among the most severe threats that Trump has been issued. He will not stop there.
So where are we going from here?
Protect. Tear off. Dreams. This is the LDF recipe.
We must protect the rule of law. Self -State Protection – whether the main thing in The history of this country. The defense itself is a demonstration of force and norms, and a testament to the strong force of the rule of law and justice, even with tireless attacks.
Secondly, we must disrupt the authoritarian machines. This means sophisticated illegal executive actions using each procedural, technical and structural lever within the law. That is why LDF is and supports law firms that dispute Trump’s executive orders, and why we dispute overcoming this administration in other cases. This is not a moment for moderation.
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And finally we have to dream. At this point, the act of resistance is to dream. Our ancestors dreamed of freedom, though their hands were shortened; They thought about justice, while sustainable system cruelty; They believed in multi -system democracy, although it did not succumb to the only reality they knew. Their dreams changed this country. Ours should.
This is not a battle for lawyers just. It is a struggle that requires the full attention and participation of each American – liberal and conservative, skeptical and ideal. When democracy endures, it will only do this if we all rise to this point with the unwavering loyalty of the law and the insignificant conviction to ensure justice.
Chaos and the cruelty of the Trump administration reach new lows each week.
Trump’s catastrophic “Liberation Day” was inflicted by the world economy and created another constitutional crisis at home. Civilian officers continue to abduct the university students from the streets. The so-called “opponents” fly abroad in a mega-tour against the ruling of the courts. And SignalGate promises to become the first of many incompetence scandals that expose violent violence at the heart of the American Empire.
At a time when elite universities, powerful law firms and influential media are Trump intimidation, the nation is more determined than if -earlier to take into account the powerful account.
In the last month, we have published a report on how Trump raises his mass deportation program to other countries, exposed the administration’s appeal to the laws to comply with his repressive agenda, and strengthened the votes of brave activists aimed at universities.
We also continue to tell the stories of those who retreat against Trump and Musk, whether on the streets in the growth of protest movements, in the town halls across the country or in critical state elections – for example, a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court race – which gives a model of confrontation and prove that Musk cannot acquire our democracy.
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In solidarity,
Editors
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