Trump Takes Action Against Law Firm Involved With Steele Dossier

President Donald Trump has taken executive action against Perkins Coie, a law firm involved with the controversial Steele Dossier, by revoking employee security clearances.

Key Insights

Trump signed an executive order suspending security clearances for all employees at Perkins Coie, a law firm known for representing Democratic clients.
The law firm played a key role in commissioning the Steele Dossier, which alleged Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia.
The Federal Election Commission previously fined the DNC and Clinton campaign for not properly disclosing payments to Perkins Coie.
The order ends federal contracts with the firm and initiates a review of “unlawful DEI practices” at major law firms.
This action is part of Trump’s broader campaign against perceived political opponents and “government weaponization.”

Trump Targets Law Firm Behind Controversial Dossier

President Donald Trump has taken direct action against Perkins Coie, the law firm associated with the creation of the controversial Steele Dossier that alleged connections between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. The executive order suspends security clearances for employees of the firm, which has long represented Democratic and liberal groups. The move represents a significant response to what Trump has characterized as “weaponization… against a political opponent” and marks the latest in a series of actions targeting entities involved in investigations of his first presidential campaign.

The Steele Dossier at the center of this controversy was commissioned by Fusion GPS, which was hired by Perkins Coie to investigate Trump’s overseas business relationships. Former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele compiled the document, which contained allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia. While U.S. intelligence agencies and the Mueller investigation partially corroborated some general findings, the dossier was later largely discredited. The document became public when BuzzFeed News published it in 2017, leading to defamation lawsuits that BuzzFeed ultimately won under fair reporting privilege.

Trump targets prominent Democratic-linked law firm https://t.co/CO41jOH1WF

— POLITICO (@politico) March 6, 2025

Financial Penalties and Broader Implications

The controversy surrounding the Steele Dossier extended beyond its content to how it was funded. The Federal Election Commission eventually fined both the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign for failing to properly disclose payments made to Perkins Coie related to the dossier. Trump’s executive order goes further, terminating any federal contracts with the law firm, though reports indicate there are no current contracts listed. This financial penalty underscores the administration’s determination to address what it views as improper conduct during the 2016 election cycle.

Beyond security clearance revocation, the executive order contains additional provisions targeting what Trump has described as “lawfare and the weaponization of government.” The order calls for a comprehensive review of “unlawful DEI practices” at major law firms, aligning with Trump’s consistent opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This review will be conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and will specifically examine practices related to race-based positions and opportunities within these firms.

Part of a Broader Campaign Against Perceived Enemies

The action against Perkins Coie appears to be part of a more extensive effort targeting those Trump considers political adversaries. Attorney General Pam Bondi is leading a “Weaponization Working Group” that may recommend further actions against individuals involved in the FBI’s investigation of Trump’s 2016 campaign. Similar measures have been taken against Covington & Burling LLP, another law firm whose security clearances were suspended by executive order. These moves reflect Trump’s campaign promises to address what he described as political persecution during his first term.

Critics have characterized these actions as political retribution, while supporters view them as necessary accountability for what they consider improper investigations into Trump’s 2016 campaign. The executive order represents one of the most concrete actions taken against entities involved in the Russia investigation, which Trump has consistently described as a “witch hunt.” As the administration continues its review of practices at major law firms, the legal and political ramifications of these security clearance revocations are likely to reverberate throughout Washington’s legal community.