M.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 7, 2025

The Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie is one of the best in the world. When I was a baby lawyer at a similar firm representing McDonnell Douglas, all of us respected Perkins Coie as our counterpart, representing Boeing since Boeing's founding in 1916. The firm has over 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices across three continents, is known for its pro bono work, and truly is a leader in innovative, ethical representation.

However, they also represent Democrats, and so Trump has signed an executive order trying to destroy them.

As I said before, I am proud to be a lawyer. We lawyers are a vital line of defense in protecting democratic institutions, and we are under attack by fascists.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/addressing-risks-from-perkins-coie-llp

Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. The

The White House
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 7, 2025

I want to make this clearer: the law firm Perkins Coie has represented Boeing since Boeing was founded in 1916. Trump's executive order today is forcing Boeing to fire the lawyers they've used for 109 years because they also represent Democrats.

My prayer is that even the fascists on SCOTUS consider this a bridge too far.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/addressing-risks-from-perkins-coie-llp/

Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. The

The White House
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.

Seriously, people, please scream more about this executive order, which is titled "Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP" and begins: "By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

"Section 1. Purpose. The dishonest and dangerous activity of the law firm Perkins Coie LLP ('Perkins Coie') has affected this country for decades. Notably, in 2016 while representing failed Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton...."

and then continues to basically force any clients with a government contract, incl. Boeing, to find new lawyers.

See above for who Perkins Coie is.

Mar 7, 2025 at 6:49pmWeb
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025

The executive order targeting a single, century-old law firm for destruction also tries to stop ALL big law firms from hiring minorities:

"The Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shall review the practices of representative large, influential, or industry leading law firms for consistency with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including whether large law firms: reserve certain positions, such as summer associate spots, for individuals of preferred races; promote individuals on a discriminatory basis; permit client access on a discriminatory basis; or provide access to events, trainings, or travel on a discriminatory basis."

Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 10, 2025

Sequel to the above posts:
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." -Dick the Butcher in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2, planning to overthrow the legitimate government and establish a tyranny.

"We have a lot of law firms that we’re going to be going after." -Donald Trump, today. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-law-firms-executive-order-interview-b2711843.html

Lawyers defend our institutions. Anyone gunning for them wants to overthrow us.

Trump confirms retribution campaign against law firms that clash with his agenda

The president says his administration is ‘going after’ law firms he claims are ‘dishonest’ and ‘bad for the country’

The Independent
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 12, 2025
Update to the above thread: Perkins Coie has filled a lawsuit to stop Trump's executive order attacking them, and @heidilifeldman (as usual) has done a great job of unpacking and explaining it: https://heidi-says.ghost.io/explained-perkins-coies-lawsuit-against-trumps-order-targeting-it/
Explained: Perkins Coie's lawsuit against Trump's order targeting it

As I wrote in my earlier post today, Donald Trump has escalated his attack on rule of law and U.S. constitutional democracy by issuing an executive order targeting Perkins Coie, a law firm he dislikes and fears. Now, Perkins Coie, represented by Williams & Connolly, has commenced a lawsuit to

Heidi Says
Show threadHeidi Li FeldmanMar 12, 2025
@msbellows Thank you.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 12, 2025
@heidilifeldman _/\_
Show threadPusher of PixelsMar 12, 2025
@msbellows @heidilifeldman I was very surprised and saddened to discover she's blocked me here. No idea why
Show threadKarl AuerbachMar 8, 2025
@msbellows Uh oh, my own company reserves jobs on the basis of race. We hire only members of the Human race.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@karlauerbach Discrimination against LLMs!
Show thread@pineywoozle ‘s #3WordNoteMar 7, 2025
@msbellows That’s grotesque.
Show threadf*cking b*tch clubMar 7, 2025

@msbellows “Waah! I hate green beans! Therefore it’s illegal to serve green beans in any US restaurant!’

#nextlevelridiculous

Show threadSite Reliability Enby🏳️‍⚧️🏁🔦📈🐺👗😷Mar 7, 2025
@grammasaurus @msbellows Religious logic in a nutshell.
Show threadLoad averageMar 7, 2025

@msbellows and I'm pretty sure that the paragraph about the chilling effects of this proclamation will be one for the textbooks. If upheld this would prevent anyone who might be disfavored by the President from securing competent legal representation because the officers of the court may fear reprisals for successfully representing their clients.

An absolutely despotic and unamerican order.

Show threadJoe HeafnerMar 8, 2025
@msbellows Surely no one will take this seriously?
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@heafnerj Let me put it this way. If you were an aerospace company with hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts with the US government, and you were told that if you didn't fire your law firm you would lose them all, what would you do?
Show threadJoe HeafnerMar 8, 2025
@msbellows The president can’t dictate that though. Or rather, a real president can’t dictate that. That would be my response.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@heafnerj And this SCOTUS will rule how? And after how long with your client having no revenue?
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @heafnerj President can do whatever he wants. He is the law. Who's going to stop him? Everyone just obeys and does whatever he commands. The SCOTUS ruled he is above the law.
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @heafnerj The congess is powerless because DOGE took control of US treasury. Congress can rule whatever but Trump and Musk have the final word. Seems to be impossible for USians to understand that the coup is already done and democracy ended. Without resistance.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@bhasic @heafnerj Actually, in every political system the generals have the final word. And I suspect that's where we're headed.
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @heafnerj That is true and I have mentioned Egypt in many conversations. Is there a Sisi in the US?
Show threadAN/CRM-114Mar 8, 2025

@msbellows @bhasic @heafnerj I’m not getting my hopes up, civilian control as a principle is embedded pretty deep, for example we saw the DC National Guard ordered to sIt out Jan 6 rather than box those rebels in.

That being said, if there is an interservice civil war, my money’s on the pro-democracy Army as the pro-Trump Air Force has to land sooner or later

Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@flyingsaceur @msbellows @heafnerj Civil war could be avoided if millions would march to DC and there was a general strike. Trump would have to be dragged out of the White House. Looks like nothing like that is happening. Maybe it's easier to look away while soldiers march to Canada. Where's the grit and attitude that USians like to say about themselves?
Show threadCoach Pāṇini ®Mar 8, 2025
@bhasic @flyingsaceur @msbellows @heafnerj
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@paninid @flyingsaceur @msbellows @heafnerj
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@bhasic @flyingsaceur @heafnerj Remember what Churchill apocryphally said: Americans will always do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities.
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @flyingsaceur @heafnerj Well all is already lost so now would be a good time to change things.
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @flyingsaceur @heafnerj Democrats don't have leaders and they suck and should be left to die naturally. Time for a new movement and party I think. Maybe a party that's against genocides, billionaires, povetrty, corruption, pollution etc. Zelensky won Poroshenko by a landslide because he was not corrupt and influeced by Russia or lobbyists.
Show threadElon Muksis 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇪🇺Mar 8, 2025
@msbellows @flyingsaceur @heafnerj Poroshenko was anti-Russian but lost peoples trust like Tymoshenko also. Corrupted politics anyway and the people had enough of that. The people made a great choice.
Show threadCoach Pāṇini ®Mar 8, 2025
@flyingsaceur @msbellows @bhasic @heafnerj
Show threadJoe HeafnerMar 8, 2025
@msbellows All I can say is that I rely on laws and the Constitution working when they're supposed to. Otherwise, nothing is off the table.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@heafnerj I'm not without hope. But I believe it's going to get MUCH worse before it gets better. In fact, I hope it does get much worse, and quickly, because the only way out is through.
Show threadKarl AuerbachMar 8, 2025
@msbellows Oh boy, a Bill of Attainder, but by the executive rather than the legislative branch.
Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 8, 2025
@karlauerbach EXACTLY!!!
Show threadKanceptMar 8, 2025
@msbellows time for us as Unites States of America citizens to get our legal representatives Smith & Wesson a call and help us sort this mess out. It's looking like this may the only way to make sure they can hear us.
Show threadVery Human RobotMar 8, 2025
@msbellows
This one is extra interesting because it's obviously a chilling effect first amendment issue, and the Supreme Court has previously been super against government overreach.
Will they contort themselves into pretzels to allow it, or will they find a way to shut it down without looking like they're slapping Trump?
Show threadVery Human RobotMar 8, 2025

@msbellows
I'd also like to see the interpretation of fifth and fourteenth amendment for this action...

Given that the target is *a law firm*, I have hope they will be adequately represented!