Executive Order 14246 targets Jenner & Block LLP as part of the administration's broader effort to address what it characterizes as risks posed by major law firms that allegedly conduct activities detrimental to American interests. The order positions itself as a response to what it describes as Jenner & Block's "partisan lawfare," pro bono work that allegedly undermines justice, and claimed discrimination against employees based on race. The order specifically criticizes the firm's rehiring of Andrew Weissmann, whom it characterizes as engaging in "weaponized government and abuse of power" during his involvement in Robert Mueller's investigation, which the order describes as "entirely unjustified."
The order establishes multiple specific mechanisms to restrict the law firm's access to government resources and contracts. It directs relevant agency heads to immediately suspend active security clearances held by individuals at Jenner & Block pending review, and instructs the Office of Management and Budget to identify all government goods, property, and services provided to the firm so that agencies can cease such provision. Additionally, it requires government contractors to disclose any business relationships with Jenner & Block and instructs agency heads to review all contracts with the firm or entities doing business with it, with directions to terminate these contracts to the maximum extent permitted by law. Agencies must submit assessments of these contracts within 30 days of the order.
Implementation responsibilities are distributed across multiple federal entities, with the Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, and other agency heads charged with reviewing security clearances. The order further directs agency heads to limit Jenner & Block employees' access to federal buildings and restrict government employees from engaging with the firm's staff, particularly Andrew Weissmann. It also instructs officials to refrain from hiring Jenner & Block employees without a waiver from the agency head in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management. The order explicitly states that implementation must be consistent with applicable law and available appropriations, and clarifies that it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the United States. This executive order appears to be part of a series targeting specific law firms, as it references a similar previous order (14230) concerning Perkins Coie LLP.