As part of the lightning-quick reshaping of the federal government (or at least, the executive branch) undertaken in his second administration, President Donald Trump has made a point of stripping security clearances from former government officials and their cohorts — namely those who had a hand in weaponizing the government against him and others.
For starters, he yanked the security clearances from the 51 “spies who lied” about the Hunter Biden laptop. Then came General Mark Milley (who got to pair his yanked clearance with his preemptive pardon from former President Joe Biden). Then came Biden himself.
Trump Rips Security Clearances From the 51 Spies Who Lied, Then Hit Them With Another Bombshell
Hegseth Pulls Milley’s Security Detail and Orders Review to Consider Grounds for Demoting Him
BOOM! Trump Yanks Security Clearance, Ends Daily Intelligence Briefings for Biden
Now, Trump is pulling the clearances for the law firm and lawyers who assisted Jack Smith in his investigations of Trump.
The memo, first reported by Fox News, outlines the administration’s sweeping plans to suspend security clearances for all counsel members involved in Jack Smith’s dual special counsel investigations into Trump, the White House confirmed.
…
The memo orders the federal government to review and terminate the engagement of law firm Covington & Burling by the U.S. government “to the maximum extent permitted by law,” and will conduct a detailed evaluation of funding decisions to ensure they with American citizens’ interests and the priorities of this Administration, as detailed in executive directives.
The order is now available on the White House website, and reads, in pertinent part:
I hereby direct the Attorney General and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to immediately take steps consistent with applicable law to suspend any active security clearances held by Peter Koski and all members, partners, and employees of Covington & Burling LLP who assisted former Special Counsel Jack Smith during his time as Special Counsel, pending a review and determination of their roles and responsibilities, if any, in the weaponization of the judicial process. I also direct the Attorney General and heads of agencies to take such actions as are necessary to terminate any engagement of Covington & Burling LLP by any agency to the maximum extent permitted by law and consistent with the memorandum that shall be issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
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I further direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue a memorandum to all agencies to review all Government contracts with Covington & Burling LLP. To the extent permitted by applicable law, heads of agencies shall align their agency funding decisions with the interests of the citizens of the United States; with the goals and priorities of my Administration as expressed in executive actions, especially Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government); and as heads of agencies deem appropriate.
During the signing ceremony, Trump appeared to take some added delight in signing this particular order.
BREAKING: President Trump signs an order suspending security clearances for Covington & Burling LLP employees who worked with deranged Jack Smith to weaponize government. pic.twitter.com/fKhCbkNP1j
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 25, 2025
Here’s the exchange between White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf, Trump, and reporters during the signing of the order.
SCHARF: At the outset of your administration, Sir, you committed to ending the weaponization of government —
TRUMP: [Audible sigh]
SCHARF: — to holding those accountable who participated in the weaponization of government —
TRUMP: Hold it! This is a good one. Is everybody listening? Deranged Jack Smith — we’re going to call it “the Deranged Jack Smith signing” or bill — go ahead.
SCHARF: One law firm that provided pro bono legal services to the Special Counsel’s Office under Jack Smith’s leadership was Covington & Burling. As a result of those actions, we’re now going to be suspending and putting under review the security clearances for the attorneys and employees at that firm who worked with Jack Smith’s team. And we’re going to continue holding the people who were responsible for the weaponization of gorvernment, who supported it, accountable for what they did.
TRUMP: And you’ll be doing this with other firms as time goes by, right?
SCHARF: We’re looking at sort of the whole panoply of options.
TRUMP: The weaponization of our system by law firms — even pro bono work they’re doing, just in order to clog up government, stop government — and nobody knows about it more than me. And hopefully, that’ll never happen again.
REPORTER 1: Is that Covington & Burlington?
SCHARF: Covington & Burling.
REPORTER 2: Mr. President? May I ask you a question about Europe? So, long term, do you plan to maintain the number of U.S. troops stationed —
TRUMP: Wait. I just want to savor this one, please. Who would like this pen?
REPORTER 3: I’ll take it.
TRUMP: Why don’t you send it to Jack Smith…a deranged person.
It’s actually rather amusing if you watch the exchange. It’s clear that Trump was genuinely savoring the moment. I rather doubt Jack Smith will wind up with that pen, however.
