ISTANBUL

A federal judge has temporarily blocked key provisions of an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump aimed at penalizing the law firm Perkins Coie, which previously represented former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who Trump defeated in the 2016 US presidential election.

In a Wednesday ruling, US District Judge Beryl Howell granted a temporary restraining order, halting three parts of the order that restricted Perkins Coie attorneys from entering government buildings, limited their contact with federal officials, and subjected the firm's contracts with federal agencies to additional scrutiny.

The order, signed last week by Trump, was widely seen as retribution against the firm for its role in contracting research that led to the controversial Steele Dossier ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The file contained serious and controversial allegations about Trump.

But the firm sued the Trump administration, arguing the directive violated its free speech rights.

Dane Butswinkas, an attorney for Perkins Coie, called the executive order "a wrecking ball" that threatened the firm’s ability to operate in Washington, DC. "If left unchecked, we’ll be left in a country we barely recognize," he warned in court.

In a rare move, Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, personally argued on behalf of the Justice Department, defending Trump’s authority to take action against firms deemed "not trustworthy with the nation’s secrets." Howell sharply criticized that argument, stating: "That’s a different Constitution than I am familiar with."

The ruling does not overturn a separate provision of Trump’s order that revokes security clearances for Perkins Coie attorneys, which the firm chose not to challenge.

Trump, who has targeted multiple law firms in recent months, reiterated his stance in a Fox News interview on Sunday. "We have a lot of law firms that we’re going to go after because they were very dishonest people," he said. "The firms are so bad for our country."

Before taking office in January, Trump had vowed retribution against people and institutions that he said unfairly targeted him, including law enforcement institutions and federal prosecutors.

About Clinton, he alleged serious wrongdoing, often encouraging his followers to chant: "Lock her up."