Trump rescinds order targeting law firm after it makes $40m promise

BBC - Mar 21st, 2025
Open on BBC

President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order against Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP after the law firm agreed to abandon its diversity policies and provide $40 million worth of pro bono legal work to support White House initiatives. The initial order had terminated federal contracts and suspended security clearances for the firm, accusing it of undermining the US judicial system. The decision was reversed following a meeting between Trump and Brad Karp, the firm's chairman, who expressed eagerness to work constructively with the administration.

The rescinded order highlights Trump's ongoing efforts to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. The controversy also involved accusations against the firm related to past legal actions involving the January 6 Capitol riots and the hush-money case with Stormy Daniels. The law firm's concession to drop DEI policies and commit to merit-based hiring reflects broader debates over diversity policies in the legal and corporate worlds. The move has significant implications for federal contracts and the firm's corporate clients, emphasizing the political and legal dynamics at play.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed account of President Trump's rescission of an executive order targeting a major law firm, with a focus on the agreement to abandon diversity policies. It scores well in accuracy and clarity, presenting verifiable facts in a clear and logical manner. However, it lacks balance and transparency, with limited perspectives and insufficient disclosure of the basis for claims. The story is timely and addresses issues of public interest, though its narrow focus on a specific case limits its broader impact. Overall, the article is informative and well-written, but could benefit from a more diverse range of sources and greater transparency.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of President Trump's rescinding of an executive order targeting Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Key claims, such as the agreement to drop DEI policies and provide $40 million in pro bono services, are corroborated by multiple sources. The story accurately reports the involvement of Trump's executive orders against other law firms, like Perkins Coie and Covington & Burling, and the legal actions taken by Perkins Coie. However, some details, such as the specifics of the DEI policy changes, require further clarification due to variations in different reports. Overall, the factual accuracy is high, with most claims verifiable through external sources.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the actions and statements of President Trump and the law firm Paul Weiss, offering limited perspectives from other stakeholders. While it mentions the firm's response and the broader context of Trump's executive orders against other law firms, it lacks voices from legal experts or DEI advocates who could provide additional viewpoints. The narrative leans towards presenting the situation from the perspective of the involved parties, potentially omitting broader implications for the legal industry or diversity policies.

8
Clarity

The article is structured logically, presenting the sequence of events clearly and concisely. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of complex legal terms and the implications of the executive order and its rescission. Overall, the clarity is strong, with a well-organized presentation of facts.

7
Source quality

The story relies on statements from President Trump and Paul Weiss, both of which are primary sources for the events described. However, it does not cite independent experts or third-party analysts who could provide additional context or critique. The reliance on statements from involved parties limits the depth of analysis, though the primary sources are credible concerning the described events.

5
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events leading to the rescission of the executive order but lacks transparency regarding the methodology or sources used to verify claims. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or the basis for selecting specific details over others. Greater transparency about the sources of information and any editorial decisions would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.businessinsider.com/paul-weiss-law-dei-practices-trump-2025-3
  2. https://www.businessinsider.com/paul-weiss-trump-executive-order-agreement-language-dei-2025-3
  3. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/20/white-house-law-firm-sanctions-026866
  4. https://davidlat.substack.com/p/paul-weiss-and-brad-karp-cut-a-deal-with-donald-trump-to-rescind-the-executive-order