Judge Richard Leon, George W. Bush appointee, says he is “inclined to grant” a temporary restraining order #TRO against the #Trump admin, barring it from punishing the #LawFirm #WilmerHale. The judge did not rule from the bench during the hearing, but said he would issue a written decision in a matter of hours.

Lawyer Paul Clement argued on the #LawFirm #WilmerHale’s behalf that it was “clear as day” that the #Trump #ExecutiveOrder against the firm violated the #FirstAmendment. He said the chilling effect on the firm’s business had been immediate.

#DOJ lawyer Richard Lawson urged Judge Leon not to issue a temporary restraining order #TRO, arguing the specific limitations for Wilmer Hale had not been decided, so there was no reason to rush a court decision.

Other elite #law firms have been hit w/similar sanctions, leaving them to choose whether to fight the orders or cut a *deal* w/ #Trump to remove the restrictions, even as a judge has already blocked one of the orders because it is likely to be unlawful.

The order said Trump was in part punishing #WilmerHale for the firm’s connections to #Mueller, who led an inquiry that the order described as “one of the most partisan investigations in American history.”

In an EO, #Trump hit the elite firm w/many of the same penalties that he had applied to its competitors who had taken on cases or causes he did not like.

He directed the cancellation of all govt contracts w/ #WilmerHale, & the suspension of any #security clearances of its employees. The order also barred WilmerHale employees from federal buildings [Federal Court buildings fall into the category], banned them from communicating w/govt employees & prevented them from being hired at govt agencies.