WASHINGTON — In a dramatic about-face, President Donald Trump has abruptly rescinded an executive order targeting powerhouse law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton—just days after issuing it. The stunning reversal comes after behind-the-scenes negotiations with firm chairman Brad Karp, who reportedly agreed to major concessions, including offering tens of millions of dollars in free legal services to support White House initiatives.
The now-canceled order had sent shockwaves through the legal world, threatening to revoke security clearances of attorneys linked to the firm and terminate its federal contracts. The move was widely seen as a direct response to the past work of Mark Pomerantz, a former Paul, Weiss lawyer known for legal battles that clashed with Trump’s interests.
To sidestep the fallout, Paul, Weiss struck a deal with the White House, pledging to commit $40 million in pro bono legal services toward Trump administration priorities—including aid for veterans and efforts to combat anti-Semitism. The firm also agreed to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considerations in its hiring and promotion practices.
“We are gratified that the President has agreed to withdraw the Executive Order concerning Paul, Weiss,” Karp stated, signaling a willingness to work more closely with the administration moving forward.
Paul, Weiss is just the latest in a string of corporate entities making concessions to avoid Trump’s wrath. Meta and ABC recently paid settlements to Trump’s future presidential library to resolve lawsuits, while tech and financial giants have been rolling back DEI programs to align with his policies.
With the White House flexing its power against legal heavyweights, many are left wondering—who’s next?
