President Donald Trump has issued a memo authorizing the attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security to seek sanctions against legal firms that file lawsuits against the administration that they deem "frivolous," sparking ire from civil rights groups.
"Lawyers and law firms that engage in actions that violate the laws of the United States or rules governing attorney conduct must be efficiently and effectively held accountable," Trump wrote in the memo, which was released Saturday.
He listed multiple lawsuits filed against the Trump administration that he claims were "fraudulent" and quotes in part Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, which "prohibits attorneys from engaging in certain unethical conduct in Federal courts," such as presenting legal filings "for improper purpose" and other issues.
"Unfortunately, far too many attorneys and law firms have long ignored these requirements when litigating against the Federal Government or in pursuing baseless partisan attacks," Trump added, saying he is directing Attorney General Pam Bondi "to seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States or in matters before executive departments and agencies of the United States."
Trump went on to direct Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem "to prioritize enforcement of their respective regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline."
The American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP, and almost two dozen other civil rights groups released a joint statement on Monday condemning the memo.
"Yesterday's memorandum from President Trump to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding legal actions against the federal government is the latest in a rash of statements and actions intended to chill dissent, avoid accountability, and weaponize the government to attack opponents of this administration and its lawless actions," the groups wrote.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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