President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of security clearances for attorneys at the law firm Perkins Coie, linked to discredited opposition research on his ties to Russia during the 2016 campaign. This move is part of a series of retaliatory actions by the Trump administration against perceived adversaries, aiming to settle past scores and deter future investigations into his conduct. The executive order directs relevant agency heads to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at Perkins Coie.

The sanction stems from Perkins Coie hiring Fusion GPS to conduct opposition research on Trump’s Russia ties. Fusion GPS, in turn, hired former British spy Christopher Steele, whose dossier alleged Russian efforts to aid Trump. However, the dossier’s credibility has been questioned, with the FBI unable to verify its key allegations. The dossier’s release in 2017 fueled political controversy and Trump’s criticisms of the investigation into his campaign’s ties to Russia.

While the Mueller investigation did not find criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign, it did uncover Russian efforts to intervene in the election and evidence of campaign receptiveness to such help. The Trump administration has taken various actions against individuals involved in investigations critical of the president, including revoking security clearances and firing Justice Department prosecutors. Additionally, the administration accuses Perkins Coie of engaging in unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

These developments reflect ongoing tensions surrounding the Russia investigation and highlight the administration’s efforts to push back against perceived threats and challenges to its authority.