Trump Removes Security Clearances From Jack Smith-Connected Law Firm
President Donald Trump is expected to sign a memo Tuesday suspending the security clearances for employees of a top D.C.-based law firm who assisted in former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations, Fox News has learned.
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.
It’s the latest in a string of punitive actions Trump has taken to strip power from his political and legal foes.
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.
Among those targeted is Peter Koski, the former deputy chief of the Justice Department’s public integrity section. Covington vice chair Lanny Breuer, who helped lead the Justice Department’s criminal division under then-President Barack Obama, is also expected to be squarely in the crosshairs of the review. Breuer, for his part, had recruited Smith in 2010 to head up DOJ’s Public Integrity Section.
The two made headlines earlier this month after Politico reported they had been offering pro bono legal services to Jack Smith prior to his resignation from the Justice Department last month.