The first thing we do is, let’s kill all the lawyers

Salon - Mar 29th, 2025
Open on Salon

In a recent escalation, former President Donald Trump's administration has launched a multi-faceted attack on the legal system, targeting lawyers and law firms that oppose his agenda. This offensive includes threatening judges, issuing retaliatory executive orders, and stripping funding from attorneys representing vulnerable communities. Major law firms like Skadden Arps and Paul Weiss have already capitulated to his demands, highlighting the chilling effect on the legal profession and the potential erosion of democratic principles.

The implications of these actions are profound, as they threaten to undermine the rule of law and democracy in the United States. By compromising the independence of legal practitioners and coercing firms into compliance, Trump's strategy seeks to dismantle the checks and balances essential for a functioning democracy. Nevertheless, some lawyers and organizations, such as the ACLU and state Attorneys General, are pushing back, filing lawsuits to slow down and potentially stop these authoritarian measures. The legal community's response will play a crucial role in determining the fate of American democracy and justice.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a critical perspective on the Trump administration's alleged actions against the legal profession, highlighting potential threats to democracy and vulnerable groups. While it effectively communicates urgency and relevance, the lack of supporting evidence and balanced viewpoints limits its overall reliability. The absence of direct citations or corroborating sources diminishes the factual accuracy of some claims, and the article's reliance on the author's perspective introduces potential bias. Despite these shortcomings, the article addresses important public interest topics and has the potential to engage readers and provoke meaningful discussion. However, its impact may be constrained by the need for more comprehensive evidence and balanced analysis.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article presents several claims that require verification, particularly those regarding the Trump administration's alleged actions against the legal profession. For instance, it claims that the administration issued executive orders retaliating against law firms and threatened judges, which are serious allegations needing concrete evidence. The mention of specific law firms like Skadden Arps and Paul Weiss complying with the administration's demands also requires substantiation. While the article references historical interpretations of Shakespeare's phrase, it lacks direct citations or evidence to support its claims about contemporary political actions and their impacts on the legal system.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical view of the Trump administration, focusing on alleged attempts to undermine the legal profession. It does not provide alternative perspectives or counterarguments, such as potential justifications for the administration's actions or responses from the implicated parties. This one-sided approach limits the article's ability to present a balanced view, as it overlooks potential nuances or differing opinions on the administration's legal strategies.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting a coherent narrative about the alleged threats to the legal profession. It effectively communicates the urgency of the situation as perceived by the author, using a straightforward tone. However, the lack of supporting evidence and context for some claims may lead to confusion or skepticism among readers. The article's focus on a specific viewpoint also limits its clarity in presenting a comprehensive overview of the issue.

4
Source quality

The article lacks direct attribution to credible sources or official documents that could substantiate its claims, particularly regarding the Trump administration's actions and the responses of specific law firms. The absence of quotes from involved parties or references to public records diminishes the reliability of the information presented. Moreover, the article primarily relies on the author's interpretation and perspective, which may introduce bias without corroborating evidence from authoritative sources.

4
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the basis for its claims or the methodology used to gather information. There is no mention of sources, interviews, or documents that underpin the assertions made about the Trump administration's actions. Additionally, the author's affiliation with the People's Parity Project, an organization with a specific agenda, is noted, but the potential impact of this affiliation on the article's impartiality is not adequately addressed. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the credibility of the information.

Sources

  1. https://lithub.com/what-did-shakespeare-mean-when-he-wrote-lets-kill-all-the-lawyers/
  2. https://stage-curacao.nl/strand-curacao-met-infinity-pool/
  3. https://www.nationofimmigrators.com/2023/05/lets-not-kill-all-the-lawyers-removing-barriers-to-effective-legal-representation-in-immigration-matters/
  4. https://www.h2fc-tokyo.com/calendar_detail/id=1367&year=2018&month=2
  5. https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2024-08-25/blogs-opinions/Yes-everybody-hates-lawyers-6736263686