Trump Revokes Security Clearances of Perkins Coie Attorneys \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of attorneys from Perkins Coie, the law firm linked to the since-discredited Steele dossier. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to penalize officials and private-sector individuals involved in past investigations against him. The executive order also calls for a review of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in major law firms.
Trump Revokes Security Clearances Over Steele Dossier: Quick Looks
- Perkins Coie Targeted – Trump strips security clearances from attorneys at the law firm.
- Retaliation for 2016 Research – The firm was involved in funding opposition research against Trump.
- Steele Dossier Fallout – The FBI failed to verify its allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia.
- Ongoing Legal Purge – Trump has also fired DOJ prosecutors and stripped clearances from intelligence officials.
- DEI Policies Under Review – The executive order includes a probe into law firms’ diversity initiatives.
Deep Look
Trump Strikes Back at Perkins Coie for 2016 Election Research
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration is revoking the security clearances of attorneys at Perkins Coie, the law firm involved in commissioning opposition research into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. The executive order marks another retaliatory move by Trump against individuals and institutions he sees as having fueled investigations into his political career.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump framed the decision as an effort to prevent politically motivated attacks in the future.
“This is an absolute honor to sign. What they’ve done is just terrible. It’s weaponization—you could say weaponization against a political opponent, and it should never be allowed to happen again,” Trump said.
The move fits into a broader pattern of punitive actions taken by the Trump administration against former government officials, prosecutors, and private-sector lawyers involved in past investigations into his conduct.
The Steele Dossier’s Role in the Trump-Russia Investigation
The sanction against Perkins Coie stems from its involvement in the creation of the Steele dossier, a report compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele. The law firm was retained by Fusion GPS, a private research and intelligence firm, at the direction of Marc Elias—then a partner at Perkins Coie and general counsel for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
The Steele dossier, which contained unverified allegations about Trump’s connections to Russia, was shared with the FBI and became part of the broader debate over Russian interference in the 2016 election. However, Special Counsel John Durham’s 2023 report concluded that the FBI was unable to verify “a single substantive allegation” from the dossier. Despite this, Steele has continued to defend his work.
While the dossier did not launch the FBI’s Russia investigation, its public revelation in January 2017—just weeks before Trump’s first inauguration—sparked intense controversy. Then-FBI Director James Comey briefed Trump on the existence of the dossier, and it was later revealed that both the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee had funded its creation.
Trump has long called the dossier “phony” and used its discrediting as a political tool to undermine broader investigations into Russian election interference. While Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not find criminal collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia, his report detailed an extensive Russian operation to assist Trump’s election and instances where Trump’s team welcomed the foreign help.
Expanding Retaliation: DOJ Prosecutors and Intelligence Officials Targeted
The revocation of security clearances for Perkins Coie attorneys is part of a wider purge by the Trump administration.
- Justice Department prosecutors involved in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump have already been dismissed.
- Security clearances were previously revoked from lawyers who worked for Smith’s office.
- Former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter warning that the Hunter Biden laptop story bore similarities to Russian disinformation have also been targeted.
By taking action against both government officials and private attorneys, Trump is signaling that even those outside public office are not immune from retribution for past legal and political battles.
DEI Policies Under Scrutiny in Law Firms
In addition to targeting Perkins Coie, Trump’s executive order also mandates a “holistic review” of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at major law firms.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf, outlining the order, described it as part of a broader effort to eliminate what the administration views as “unlawful” DEI policies.
This follows an earlier directive from Attorney General Pam Bondi, instructing the Department of Justice to investigate and penalize illegal DEI mandates in both the private sector and federally funded educational institutions.
“We will investigate, eliminate, and penalize illegal DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities,” Bondi stated last month.
This aspect of the executive order aligns with a broader conservative pushback against corporate and institutional DEI initiatives, which critics argue promote unfair advantages based on race or gender.
A Broader Strategy of Intimidation?
Critics argue that Trump’s actions serve not only as retribution but also as a warning to government officials, attorneys, and private citizens who might consider participating in future investigations into his administration. By systematically targeting those who played a role in past probes, Trump is making it clear that cooperation in legal efforts against him carries potential consequences.
While the Steele dossier is no longer a major factor in U.S. politics, its legacy continues to shape Trump’s approach to governance and legal battles. The revocation of security clearances at Perkins Coie is yet another chapter in Trump’s ongoing campaign to rewrite the narrative of the Russia investigation—and to ensure that those who played a role in it face lasting consequences.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.