Along with its constitutional arguments, law firm Perkins Coie wielded another powerful weapon in its legal battle with President Donald Trump: his own commentary spanning eight years. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Friday struck down Trump's executive order targeting the firm.

It was one in a series of similar executive actions aimed at punishing some of the country’s most prestigious law firms.

The decision marked the first time a federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration from enforcing an order to punish law firms he opposes politically.