<< For whistleblowing and conscientious objection resignation from law firm Skadden Arps >>
WHY IT MATTERS
Rachel highlights the role of courts as "our last line of defence against authoritarianism".
"If we allow any president to dictate who deserves to get advocacy, our legal system fails"
In her testimony to congress, Rachel brings to our attention the "series of attacks on the legal profession" - and specifically taking away contracts from:
Covington and Burling
Perkins Coie
Paul Weiss
Skadden Arps
In each case, the reasons were that these firms had represented clients and causes that the administration disliked. Covington and Burling, for example, were targeted for representing special counsel Jack Smith who was responsible for investigating Trump's mishandling of top secret documents. In the case of Perkins Coie, Trump even targeted their clients.
Some of these firms stood up to these attacks (Perkins Coie). Others (Paul Weiss, Skadden) bought their way into trump's favour by offering millions of dollars worth of pro bono legal services to projects supported by the administration.
When trump is accused of being self-obsessed, spiteful, petty and vindictive, such claims are not political - there is clear evidence of the fact that these traits drive his actions more than any concern for the welfare of America - thanks to the facts that brave people like Cohen share with us.
Rachel tells us in her testimony to Congress that "standing up to authoritarianism is scary". Yet she did it.
