Trump Suspends Security Clearances for Law Firm Staff Linked to Jack Smith’s Prosecutions
The volunteer attorneys are associated with Covington & Burling LLP, a law firm located in Washington.
On February 25, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum that suspends security clearances for staff at a Washington law firm involved in the investigations led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith.
The memorandum specifically addresses attorneys at Covington & Burling LLP who participated in Smith’s investigations. According to a White House representative, the Trump administration is “suspending and reviewing the security clearances for the attorneys and employees at that firm who collaborated with Jack Smith’s team” as a response to their pro bono legal contributions to the investigations.
Smith’s investigations have focused on two major cases involving Trump: the first relates to allegations concerning the president’s attempts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 election and the second involves the handling of classified documents in Florida. Trump has consistently characterized these inquiries as a “weaponization of government” and has accused former President Joe Biden of orchestrating the DOJ’s pursuit of these cases.
The memorandum instructs the attorney general and relevant agency heads to “suspend any active security clearances held by Peter Koski and all members, partners, and employees of Covington & Burling LLP who supported former Special Counsel Jack Smith, pending a review of their roles and responsibilities.”
Moreover, the memo also calls for an end to any collaboration between the firm and federal agencies “to the greatest extent allowed by law” and mandates the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance to federal agencies regarding the review of any contracts with Covington & Burling LLP.
On Tuesday, Trump suggested that his administration should also focus on other firms that collaborated with the special counsel’s office. A White House official noted that the administration would be “exploring a range of options.”
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After the memorandum was signed, the president humorously suggested that someone should send the permanent marker he used for the signature to the former special counsel.
When a reporter inquired whether his administration was primarily targeting a specific firm or individuals not associated with Smith, Trump replied, “Excuse me, I’ve been targeted for four years, longer than that, so you don’t tell me about targeting.”
Citing deadline constraints, Covington & Burling LLP had not provided a comment to the press by the time of publication.
The group argued for the release of the remaining part of Smith’s report ahead of FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate confirmation vote, claiming that the situation was urgent due to content concerning the then-nominee.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in both investigations.
