US President Trump directed the Attorney General and all other relevant heads of executive departments and agencies on Tuesday to strip security clearances from lawyers at a prominent Washington DC law firm aiding former special counsel Jack Smith, and to end any federal government work the firm may have. The move intensifies his bid to punish perceived rivals.

The firm in question, Covington & Burling, LLP, is being investigated after providing Smith with pro bono services prior to his resignation, according to Politico. The memo grants the Director of the Office of Personal Management the authority to provide the memorandum to the appropriate clearance-granting agency to revoke security clearance for members, partners, and employees of the firm that are not directly mentioned to ensure compliance.

Smith headed two prosecutions against Trump and released a report in January detailing his reasoning for prosecuting Trump for election interference. The report was released before submitting Smith’s resignation, in an attempt to take sole responsibility for the two prosecutions his team led against Trump. However, in January acting US Attorney General fired several DOJ employees for their role in prosecuting Trump.

The memorandum orders:

To the extent permitted by applicable law, heads of agencies shall align their agency funding decisions with the interests of the citizens of the United States; with the goals and priorities of my Administration as expressed in executive actions, especially Executive Order 14147 of January 20, 2025 (Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government); and as heads of agencies deem appropriate. 

Marking yet another action the Trump administration has aimed at ending the weaponization of the federal government.