Two U.S. judges grilled a Justice Department lawyer on Wednesday over President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting prominent law firms WilmerHale and Perkins Coie, at hearings testing claims that the president's actions were retaliatory and unlawful.

Democratic lawmakers questioning whether deals for pro bono work may violate federal bribery, extortion, honest services fraud or racketeering laws.

To avoid retribution, big firms agreed to provide free legal services for uncontroversial causes. To the White House, that could mean negotiating trade deals — or even defending the president and his allies.