By Jasper Ward
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is withdrawing an executive order targeting New York law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
The move, which comes less than a week after Trump issued an order suspending security clearances for lawyers and other employees at the firm, follows a meeting between the president and Paul Weiss’ chairman, Brad Karp, according to the White House.
During that meeting, Karp acknowledged the wrongdoing of Mark Pomerantz, a former partner at the firm, who was involved in the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into Trump’s hush money payments to a porn star, the White House said.
“Paul, Weiss agrees that the bedrock principle of American Justice is that it must be fair and nonpartisan for all,” said Trump, who added that he entered into an agreement with the firm.
“Our Justice System is betrayed when it is misused to achieve political ends.”
He said the firm has also promised to dedicate the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal service over the course of his term to support Trump administration initiatives.
The law firm has ties to high profile Democrats whom Trump has criticized over probes into him and his conduct.
Paul, Weiss did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
