On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, TIME reported that President Donald Trump issued a directive suspending security clearances for attorneys at Covington & Burling, a prominent Washington law firm, due to their legal support for former special counsel Jack Smith. The order, signed at the White House, targets lawyers who provided pro bono services to Smith, who had previously led criminal investigations against Trump. These cases were dismissed following Trump’s return to the presidency in November 2024.
The memo specifically instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to suspend the clearances of Peter Koski, an attorney representing Smith, as well as all firm members, partners, and employees who aided Smith during his tenure as special counsel. The suspensions are pending a review of their involvement in what the directive describes as the “weaponization of the judicial process.”
Covington & Burling, an international firm with notable alumni like former Attorney General Eric Holder and ex-Justice Department official Lanny Breuer, clarified that it had no part in Smith’s investigations of Trump. Instead, the firm began representing Smith personally after he became the subject of a government probe.
A spokesperson for Covington & Burling confirmed that the firm is acting as defense counsel for Smith in his individual capacity and expressed gratitude for his trust in their representation. The decision follows revelations from a financial disclosure, reported by Politico, showing that Smith received $140,000 in pro bono legal assistance from the firm before stepping down in January 2025 after over two years as special counsel.
Trump’s action aligns with prior moves to revoke clearances of individuals he views as adversaries. Last month, he targeted over 40 former intelligence officials who had linked the Hunter Biden laptop controversy to possible Russian disinformation. During a press interaction, Trump defended his decision, asserting that he had faced targeting by “corrupt politicians” for over eight years.
Smith’s tenure as special counsel began in November 2022 under then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, overseeing probes into Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and his actions to challenge the 2020 election results. Both investigations led to indictments, but the classified documents case was dismissed after a judge ruled Smith’s appointment unlawful, and the election interference case was scaled back by a Supreme Court ruling in the summer of 2024. Smith dropped both cases shortly after Trump’s November 2024 election victory, citing a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
The suspension of clearances comes amid broader efforts by Trump and his administration to address perceived political targeting. Attorney General Bondi, a key ally, recently established a “weaponization working group” to scrutinize Smith’s investigations, including what she called an “unprecedented raid” on Trump’s home. Republicans, including Bondi, have long contended that the Justice Department under President Joe Biden was used as a tool against Trump and conservative figures.
This latest move also follows the dismissal of several members of Smith’s investigative team, suggesting an intent to discourage legal representation for those involved in prior investigations of Trump. After signing the memo, Trump lightheartedly suggested sending the pen he used to Smith, a remark that drew laughter from those present in the Oval Office.
Source: TIME
