In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has appointed Lindsey Halligan, a lawyer known for representing him in a defamation lawsuit against CNN, to assist in overseeing an executive order aimed at removing “divisive, race-centered ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and other sites. Halligan, previously a property lawyer in Florida, gained attention within Trump’s circle after witnessing the FBI’s 2022 raid on Mar-a-Lago. For additional context, see the artnet report.
This appointment has raised eyebrows within the legal community, particularly given the broader implications of the executive order on freedom of expression and the historical presentation of race-related content. The decision comes amid discussions over the role of politics in cultural and historical institutions, further complicating ongoing debates about public policy and historical narratives.
In related news, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom saw another resignation, following the departure of Rachel Cohen. An associate, Benna Trout Frey, publicly expressed her discontent with the firm’s agreement to provide $100 million in pro bono services to the Trump administration. In a LinkedIn post, she accused the firm of yielding to political pressures and ignoring disenfranchised groups. More details on this can be found in an article by the Independent.
Further illustrating the polarized landscape, over 90 professors from Harvard Law School issued a letter denouncing what they see as attacks on the rule of law and the legal profession by the Trump administration. This letter specifically points to executive orders that seemingly target law firms aligned with Trump’s political adversaries and calls attention to potential repercussions for those firms’ engagements with government work. For further exploration of this subject, refer to the Axios coverage.