United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing restrictions on WilmerHale, the former law firm of special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into alleged Russian ties during Trump’s first term.
The order, signed on Thursday, revokes security clearances, cancels government contracts, and limits access to federal government buildings for WilmerHale employees.
Robert Mueller, who investigated whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, worked at WilmerHale both before his appointment as special counsel and after the investigation concluded until his retirement in 2021.
This move is part of Trump’s recent actions since returning to office to address grievances against law firms that have represented his political adversaries or involved him in legal disputes, whether civil or criminal.
The president has previously signed executive orders targeting four other prominent law firms, commonly referred to as “Big Law” firms. While some of these firms have filed complaints against the restrictions, others have negotiated agreements with the president.
Trump has long criticized the investigations into his campaign as the “Russia hoax.” Mueller, alongside the FBI, conducted probes into the alleged collusion between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign. Although Mueller secured convictions for six campaign members, he ultimately concluded that there was no criminal cooperation with Russia by the Trump campaign.
By targeting WilmerHale, Trump continues to challenge entities associated with what he perceives as unjust investigations during his first term, reinforcing his stance against the investigations he has repeatedly denounced.
