Trump strips security clearance from law firm tied to Jack Smith cases
President Donald Trump is set to take drastic action against employees of a prominent D.C.-based law firm who were involved in former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations. According to a memo obtained by Fox News, Trump plans to suspend the security clearances of all counsel members who played a role in Smith’s dual investigations into the President.
The memo, which is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to undermine his political and legal adversaries, directs the federal government to review and terminate the engagement of Covington & Burling, the law firm in question, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Additionally, the memo calls for a thorough evaluation of funding decisions to ensure they align with the priorities of the current administration and the interests of American citizens.
Among the individuals targeted by this suspension of security clearances is Peter Koski, a former deputy chief of the Justice Department’s public integrity section, and Lanny Breuer, the vice chair of Covington & Burling who previously served in the Justice Department under President Barack Obama. Breuer, who recruited Jack Smith in 2010 to lead the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, is expected to face scrutiny as part of the review.
Recent reports revealed that Koski and Breuer had been providing pro bono legal services to Jack Smith prior to his resignation from the Justice Department. The White House confirmed that the law firm had offered Smith $140,000 in free legal assistance.
In justifying the revocation of security clearances for top Justice Department personnel, the administration stated that it aims to send a clear message that it will not tolerate the abuse of power by partisan actors who leverage their positions for political gain. The memo emphasizes the government’s commitment to sever ties with Covington & Burling to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to investigate allegations of election interference by Trump and his allies, as well as Trump’s handling of classified documents post-presidency, had previously indicted the former President on charges related to these matters. However, both cases were dropped following Trump’s election, in line with DOJ policy against investigating sitting presidents for federal criminal charges.
Covington & Burling has yet to respond to requests for comment on the suspension of security clearances for its employees. This development underscores the ongoing power struggle between the Trump administration and its critics within the legal and political spheres.
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