Executive Order 14237 of March 14, 2025 - Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss

RevokedExecutive Orders

Published

March 14, 2025

Lineage

—

Ingested

June 29, 2026

Summary

Executive Order 14237, issued by the President on March 14, 2025, addresses alleged risks from the law firm Paul Weiss, citing concerns about its activities, personnel, and internal discrimination. It mandates federal agencies to immediately suspend security clearances for Paul Weiss individuals, cease providing government services and property to the firm, and review and terminate contracts involving Paul Weiss. Additionally, the order restricts Paul Weiss employees' access to federal facilities and limits their hiring by government agencies.

Key provisions

Executive Order 14237: Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss

Purpose and Rationale: Executive Order 14237, issued on March 14, 2025, addresses perceived risks from global law firms, specifically Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss). The Administration alleges that such firms have undermined the judicial process, degraded American principles, and engaged in activities inconsistent with U.S. interests, aiming to end government sponsorship of these activities.
Specific Allegations Against Paul Weiss: The Order cites a 2021 pro bono suit by a Paul Weiss partner against January 6 participants and the 2022 hiring of attorney Mark Pomerantz, who is accused of manufacturing a prosecution against the President. Additionally, Paul Weiss is accused of unlawful racial and sex discrimination against its own employees under the guise of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" policies.
Administration's Stance: The Administration asserts that those engaging in blatant discrimination and activities inconsistent with U.S. interests should not have access to national secrets or be deemed responsible stewards of Federal funds. It commits to ending such practices and ensuring Federal benefits support U.S. laws and national security.

Security Clearance Review

Immediate Suspension Directive: The Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies are directed to immediately suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss and by Mark Pomerantz. This suspension is pending a review to determine if such clearances are consistent with the national interest.
Cessation of Government Provisions: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with identifying all Government goods, property, material, and services, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), provided for the benefit of Paul Weiss. Heads of agencies providing these are required to expeditiously cease such provision, to the extent permitted by law.

Government Contracting Requirements

Contractor Disclosure Requirement: To prevent taxpayer dollars from subsidizing activities not aligned with American interests, including racial discrimination, Government contracting agencies shall, to the extent permissible by law, require Government contractors to disclose any business they do with Paul Weiss and whether that business is related to the subject of the Government contract. This is a key compliance requirement for contractors.
Contract Review and Termination: Heads of all agencies must review all contracts with Paul Weiss or with entities that disclose doing business with Paul Weiss. Agencies are directed to take appropriate steps to terminate any contract where Paul Weiss has been hired to perform any service, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Funding Alignment and Reporting: Agencies must align their funding decisions with U.S. citizens' interests and the Administration's goals, including those expressed in Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government). Compliance Requirement: Within 30 days of March 14, 2025, all agencies must submit an assessment to the Director of OMB detailing contracts with Paul Weiss or entities doing business with Paul Weiss, and any actions taken regarding those contracts.

Personnel and Access Limitations

Limited Access to Federal Buildings: Agency heads must provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Paul Weiss when such access would threaten national security or otherwise be inconsistent with U.S. interests. Guidance must also limit Government employees acting in their official capacity from engaging with Paul Weiss employees.
Hiring Restrictions: Agency officials shall refrain from hiring employees of Paul Weiss, absent a waiver from the head of the agency. This waiver, made in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, must confirm that such a hire will not threaten the national security of the United States. This waiver process serves as a compliance mechanism.

General Provisions

Legal Consistency and Appropriations: The order is to be implemented consistent with applicable law and is subject to the availability of appropriations. It does not impair the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency or the functions of the OMB Director relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
No Private Right of Action: The Executive Order explicitly states that it is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States or its entities.

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Executive Order 14244 of March 21, 2025 Addressing Remedial Action by Paul Weiss

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Executive Order 14237: Addressing Risks From Paul Weiss

Purpose and Rationale: Executive Order 14237, issued on March 14, 2025, addresses perceived risks from global law firms, specifically Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss). The Administration alleges that such firms have undermined the judicial process, degraded American principles, and engaged in activities inconsistent with U.S. interests, aiming to end government sponsorship of these activities.

Specific Allegations Against Paul Weiss: The Order cites a 2021 pro bono suit by a Paul Weiss partner against January 6 participants and the 2022 hiring of attorney Mark Pomerantz, who is accused of manufacturing a prosecution against the President. Additionally, Paul Weiss is accused of unlawful racial and sex discrimination against its own employees under the guise of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" policies.

Administration's Stance: The Administration asserts that those engaging in blatant discrimination and activities inconsistent with U.S. interests should not have access to national secrets or be deemed responsible stewards of Federal funds. It commits to ending such practices and ensuring Federal benefits support U.S. laws and national security.

Security Clearance Review

Immediate Suspension Directive: The Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies are directed to immediately suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Paul Weiss and by Mark Pomerantz. This suspension is pending a review to determine if such clearances are consistent with the national interest.

Cessation of Government Provisions: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with identifying all Government goods, property, material, and services, including Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), provided for the benefit of Paul Weiss. Heads of agencies providing these are required to expeditiously cease such provision, to the extent permitted by law.

Government Contracting Requirements

Contractor Disclosure Requirement: To prevent taxpayer dollars from subsidizing activities not aligned with American interests, including racial discrimination, Government contracting agencies shall, to the extent permissible by law, require Government contractors to disclose any business they do with Paul Weiss and whether that business is related to the subject of the Government contract. This is a key compliance requirement for contractors.

Contract Review and Termination: Heads of all agencies must review all contracts with Paul Weiss or with entities that disclose doing business with Paul Weiss. Agencies are directed to take appropriate steps to terminate any contract where Paul Weiss has been hired to perform any service, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Funding Alignment and Reporting: Agencies must align their funding decisions with U.S. citizens' interests and the Administration's goals, including those expressed in Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government). Compliance Requirement: Within 30 days of March 14, 2025, all agencies must submit an assessment to the Director of OMB detailing contracts with Paul Weiss or entities doing business with Paul Weiss, and any actions taken regarding those contracts.

Personnel and Access Limitations

Limited Access to Federal Buildings: Agency heads must provide guidance limiting official access from Federal Government buildings to employees of Paul Weiss when such access would threaten national security or otherwise be inconsistent with U.S. interests. Guidance must also limit Government employees acting in their official capacity from engaging with Paul Weiss employees.

Hiring Restrictions: Agency officials shall refrain from hiring employees of Paul Weiss, absent a waiver from the head of the agency. This waiver, made in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, must confirm that such a hire will not threaten the national security of the United States. This waiver process serves as a compliance mechanism.

General Provisions

Legal Consistency and Appropriations: The order is to be implemented consistent with applicable law and is subject to the availability of appropriations. It does not impair the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency or the functions of the OMB Director relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

No Private Right of Action: The Executive Order explicitly states that it is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States or its entities.