Trump cuts off federal resources for law firm that helped fuel 2016 Russia hoax
President Donald Trump took a bold stance on Thursday by signing an executive order that would revoke security clearances and access to certain federal resources for the law firm Perkins Coie. This move comes in response to the firm’s involvement in hiring the company responsible for creating the controversial “Steele dossier,” which contained unverified allegations about Trump’s alleged connections to Russia.
In a statement to reporters, Trump expressed his strong disapproval of Perkins Coie’s actions, labeling them as “terrible” and a form of weaponization against a political opponent. The executive order specifically suspends security clearances for Perkins Coie employees pending a review of their access to sensitive information to ensure it aligns with national interests.
Furthermore, the order restricts Perkins Coie employees’ access to sensitive compartmented information facilities and limits their interactions with government employees. It also prohibits the federal government from hiring contractors associated with the law firm without specific authorization.
Perkins Coie gained notoriety for its representation of Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election. The firm came under scrutiny after hiring Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm, to compile damaging information on Trump. Fusion GPS then enlisted former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele to create the “Steele dossier,” which contained salacious and unverified claims.
Trump vehemently denied the allegations in the dossier and even filed a lawsuit against Orbis Business Intelligence, the company co-founded by Steele. However, a judge in London dismissed the lawsuit in February 2024, stating that Trump had not provided sufficient evidence of personal or reputational damage.
The dossier gained widespread attention in 2017 when BuzzFeed News published it, leading to criticism of the FBI’s use of the document to obtain surveillance warrants against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Despite the controversy, the Justice Department’s inspector general found no evidence of political bias in the surveillance of Page or the initiation of Russia-related investigations.
As the executive order takes effect, Perkins Coie will face increased scrutiny and restrictions on its access to government resources. The firm has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
In conclusion, President Trump’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie reflects his administration’s commitment to addressing alleged misconduct and ensuring the integrity of national security protocols. The repercussions of this directive will likely have far-reaching implications for the law firm and its involvement in high-profile political matters.
