The Daily - Why One Lawyer Resigned When His Firm Caved to Trump: An Update

This week, The Daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened in the time since. President Trump has used executive orders to wage war on law firms, specifically targeting those whose lawyers have investigated or sued him, or represented his enemies in court. Michael Barbaro speaks to Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who chose to quit after his firm, Skadden, negotiated a deal to placate the president.

Duration: 27m
Broadcast on: 29 Dec 2025
Audio Format: other

This week, The Daily is revisiting some of our favorite episodes of the year and checking in on what has happened in the time since.

President Trump has used executive orders to wage war on law firms, specifically targeting those whose lawyers have investigated or sued him, or represented his enemies in court.

Michael Barbaro speaks to Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who chose to quit after his firm, Skadden, negotiated a deal to placate the president.

Guest: Thomas Sipp, a lawyer who left his firm after it negotiated a deal with Mr. Trump.

Background reading:

Listen to the original version of the episode here.
Read about how Paul Weiss, a major democratic law firm, ended up bowing to Mr. Trump.
Ever since the elite law firms Skadden and Paul Weiss reached deals with the Trump administration, top partners have closed ranks in support of the agreements.

Photo: Graham Dickie/The New York Times

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