Written by David Ellison.
President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for employees at Covington & Burling, a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm that provided former Special Counsel Jack Smith with $140,000 in pro bono legal assistance. This move, set to be formalized in a memo on Tuesday, signals a broader push by the Trump administration to sever ties with entities linked to Smith’s investigations into the president. The decision follows reports earlier this month that the firm’s services, listed as a “gift” on Smith’s financial disclosure, were rendered shortly before his exit from the Justice Department.
Details of the Covington & Burling Connection
The $140,000 in legal aid from Covington & Burling came to light via a financial disclosure obtained by Politico, raising eyebrows about its timing and purpose. While the exact reason for the assistance remains undisclosed, prior reports suggest Smith’s team sought advice from high-profile D.C. lawyers as Trump’s incoming Justice Department prepared to assume control. One insider noted that Smith’s investigators had been reaching out to legal experts across the capital, a sign of mounting anxiety among federal officials bracing for potential retaliation from the new administration.
This isn’t speculation—there’s precedent. A former senior White House official told CNN that aides across federal agencies are on edge, fearing prosecution for past actions perceived as hostile to Trump. Meanwhile, Rolling Stone reported that Smith’s prosecutors are scrambling to shield their personal finances, worried about bankruptcy amid possible legal battles. For an American taxpayer—say, a small business owner in Florida or a teacher in Pennsylvania—this paints a picture of government insiders scrambling to cover their tracks as the political tide turns.
Trump’s Response and DOJ Overhaul
Trump isn’t holding back. The memo, first detailed by Fox News, directs the federal government to end its engagement with Covington & Burling “to the maximum extent permitted by law” and suspend security clearances for firm employees tied to Smith’s probes. This targets key figures like Peter Koski, once a deputy chief in the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and Lanny Breuer, a Covington vice chair who led the DOJ’s Criminal Division under Obama and recruited Smith in 2010. The White House confirmed the memo’s scope covers both of Smith’s special counsel investigations into Trump—spanning classified documents and election interference.
The administration’s actions extend further. Last month, Trump’s DOJ axed over a dozen officials from Smith’s team, a clear signal of a scorched-earth approach. Now, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a task force to scrutinize Smith’s operations, which racked up over $50 million targeting Trump. Bondi’s group will also probe the FBI’s raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, an event Trump labeled “unprecedented.” The president himself has publicly demanded Smith’s imprisonment, setting a confrontational tone for what’s unfolding.
The memo doesn’t stop at personnel—it orders a funding review to align expenditures with “American citizens’ interests” and Trump’s priorities. This could mean millions in federal contracts with Covington & Burling, a firm with deep ties to D.C.’s legal elite, are on the chopping block. For the average federal worker or retiree watching this, it’s a stark reminder: loyalty to Trump’s vision now trumps past affiliations.
Our Take
Trump’s decision to strip clearances from Covington & Burling employees is a bold flex of executive muscle—calculated and unapologetic. It’s a direct hit at Jack Smith’s network, fueled by a belief that his investigations were politically weaponized. The $140,000 “gift” looks suspect—pro bono or not, its timing suggests Smith’s team was lawyering up for a fight they knew was coming. Bondi’s review and the DOJ purge reinforce this: Trump’s team sees Smith’s tenure as a liability to bury, not just sideline.
Yet the broader fallout looms. Covington’s a powerhouse—losing its clearances could ripple through D.C.’s legal scene, spooking firms that bank on federal ties. For everyday Americans—like a nurse in Ohio wondering where her taxes go—this might feel like justice against an overreaching elite. But it’s a gamble. If Bondi’s probe finds nothing concrete, Trump risks looking petty, not powerful. Either way, this sets a precedent: cross the administration, and your career’s collateral damage.
