Trump suspends security clearances for workers at firm central to the 'Russia hoax'

President Donald Trump on Thursday stripped security clearances from a law firm linked to the 2016 election investigation into his ties to Russia. 

‘This is an absolute honor to sign,’ said Trump as he put his signature on an Executive Order suspending clearance from staff at Perkins Coie. 

‘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.’

The order said the firm’s ‘dishonest and dangerous’ activities had affected the U.S. for decades.

And it said it ‘manufactured a false “dossier” designed to steal an election. 

The firm has been a thorn in Trump’s side for years.

It is one of the major law outfits that have signed on to represent plaintiffs suing the Trump administration, just as it did during the president’s first term.

It was also linked to what Trump calls the ‘Russia hoax’ during the 2016 campaign, and was a key part of the effort to dig up dirt on the then candidate’s, including any secret ties to Moscow and what became known as the ‘Steele Dossier.’

The firm acted for Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic Party in contracting a research firm called Fusion GPS, which in turn hired a former MIF officer to investigate.

The deal was set up by Marc Elias, a partner at Perkins Coie and top lawyer for Clnton 2016. He has since left the firm and runs his own practice. 

Christopher Steele’s dossier was packed with salacious claims.

It cited sources who said there was a ‘well-developed conspiracy of coordination’ between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin, and that Russia had ‘kopromat’ including a tape of Trump with prostitutes.

It sparked a storm just before Trump was due to be inaugurated in January 2017. 

However, its claims were never corroborated and it has become a byword among Trump’s supporters for the way the president was hounded through the courts by opponents.

The Fusion research was originally funded by Republicans opposed to Trump during the primaries, before Democrats took on the project after he won the nomination. 

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into links between Trump’s campaign and Moscow eventually concluded that Russia had tried to tilt the outcome of the 2016 election.

But it could not find evidence to prove that the two sides had illegally colluded. 

The order said Perkins Coie’s role in the 2016 election was part of a pattern. 

‘Perkins Coie has worked with activist donors including George Soros to judicially overturn popular, necessary, and democratically enacted election laws, including those requiring voter identification,’ it said.

This time around, Perkins Coie is representing plaintiffs suing the Trump administration over restrictions on transgender people in the military service.

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who has taken on a central role in the administration, put law firms on notice last month. 

He asked on X: ‘Which law firms are pushing these anti-democratic cases to impede the will of the people?’

On Thursday, Trump’s staff secretary introduced the executive order as journalists watched. 

Will Scharf said it would tackle ‘lawfare.’ 

‘This executive order will suspend security clearances and access to certain federal resources for that law firm, and also launch a holistic review of unlawful [diversity, equity, and inclusion] practices at some of the nation’s largest law firms.’ 

The ‘Russia hoax’ is never far from Trump’s mind.

He brought it up last Friday as his Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky went off the rails. 

‘Putin went through a hell of a lot with me,’ he said, raising his voice after being challenged on whether or not the Russian strongman could be trusted. 

‘He went through a phony witch hunt where they used him and “Russia, Russia, Russia” … ever hear of that deal?’

You May Also Like
Sade Robinson case: Jury finds Milwaukee man Maxwell Anderson guilty of killing, dismembering 19-year-old woman after trial

Maxwell Anderson Convicted of Killing and Dismembering Sade Robinson in Milwaukee – Jury’s Verdict after Trial

MILWAUKEE — A jury found a Milwaukee man guilty Friday of killing…
'Freakier Friday' new look: what the latest trailer reveals about the sequel's story.

‘Revealing the Story of the Sequel: A Closer Look at the New ‘Freakier Friday’ Trailer’

Disney released a new trailer for “Freakier Friday” and the switcheroo shenanigans…
ICE sweeps through LA businesses as local Democrats cry foul over Trump administration's enforcement actions

ICE conducts operations in Los Angeles businesses as local Democrats protest against Trump administration’s enforcement actions.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! ICE conducted operations at…
Elon Musk makes stunning Epstein U-turn after taking on Trump in war that cost him $27billion

Elon Musk changes his opinion on Epstein after facing Trump in a costly battle.

Elon Musk has backed away from his extraordinary claim that President Donald…
Federal judge approves Colorado law banning people under 21 from buying a gun

A federal judge has given the go-ahead for a law in Colorado that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal judge has…
'Devil in the Ozarks' captured by police after murderous police chief escaped jail using a disguise

Police Capture ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ after Escaped Murderous Police Chief Successfully Used Disguise to Flee Jail

The two-week manhunt for Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist, finally…
Country's biggest stars express gratitude for fans at CMA Fest in Nashville

Celebrating Fan Appreciation: Top Country Stars Thank Supporters at CMA Fest in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Get your cowboy boots ready, CMA Fest is back…
Trump breaks silence on escalating feud with Elon Musk and teases his next move

Trump speaks out about growing disagreement with Elon Musk and hints at his upcoming action

President Donald Trump has, at last, addressed the ongoing public disagreement with…
LA28 organizers confident Trump's latest travel ban won't affect Los Angeles Olympics

LA28 organizers are sure that the recent travel ban by Trump will not impact the Los Angeles Olympics.

LOS ANGELES — Organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have reported…
Chinese bioterror suspects' arrests signal communist country plotting 'something worse' than COVID: expert

Expert believes arrests of Chinese bioterror suspects indicate communist nation planning a threat more serious than COVID.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! After the pattern of…
Expert slams 'calculating' Meghan Markle for glaring 'inconsistencies'

Expert criticizes Meghan Markle for appearing deceitful with noticeable contradictions

On Tuesday, Meghan Markle wrapped up the first season of her podcast…
'Cannon' test boosts Karen Read’s defense, showing taillight damage consistent with thrown bar glass

Karen Read’s defense gets a boost from ‘Cannon’ test, revealing taillight damage that matches glass thrown at her

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Karen Read’s legal team…