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Response Center

Real-time analysis of Trump-Vance administration actions, to support legal challenges and provide resources for the pro-democracy community.

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The Trump-Vance Administration is trying to

Suspend security clearances for Covington & Burling attorneys in retaliation for their representation of former Special Counsel Jack Smith

Let others know:

https://democracy2025.org/response-center/uqsmvp
What we know

This memorandum directs various government agencies to suspend security clearances for Covington & Burling LLP attorneys and employees who assisted in representing Jack Smith.

Formal Name

Suspension of Security Clearances and Evaluation of Government Contracts

Status
Pending Analysis
Formal Identifier

N/A

February 25, 2025

Source
Anticipated Impact

This memorandum was the first executive action taken by the Trump Administration to target a specific law firm in retaliation for its legal work. With this memorandum, President Trump directed various government agencies to suspend security clearances for any Covington & Burling LLP attorneys and employees — specifically Peter Koski — and to terminate any contracts between the federal government and the firm.

By the Numbers

Partner Analysis

People are fighting back

How communities are responding

Democracy 2025 and our partners are ready to counter threats to people's rights, justice, and equality in courtrooms and communities across the country. Learn more about how people and communities are responding to this harmful policy:

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Help us counter unlawful, anti-democratic actions from the Trump-Vance administration and protect people, freedom, and justice.

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