Trump Administration's List of Designated Individuals, With Lisa Cook Among Them

In a series of unprecedented moves, the Trump administration revoked the security clearances of numerous high-profile figures, including former intelligence officials and law firm attorneys.

On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order that led to the revocation of security clearances for several individuals, such as Rodney Snyder, former chief of staff at the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Vickers, former under secretary of defense for intelligence, Richard Ledgett, former deputy director of the National Security Agency, and James Clapper Jr., former U.S. director of national intelligence.

The list of affected individuals also includes Michael Morell, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Brennan, former director of Central Intelligence, and Leon Panetta, former U.S. secretary of defense. Additionally, 37 former intelligence leaders associated with the assessment of Russia's attempt to influence the 2016 election had their security clearance revoked by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Aug. 19.

John Bolton, a former national security adviser, faced further scrutiny as federal agents searched his Maryland residence and Washington, D.C., office in relation to allegations that he is in possession of classified records.

Chris Christie, an early supporter of Trump, found himself threatened with investigation by the president over an old political scandal.

The move to fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve board of governors, by President Trump would give his appointees the majority on the Federal Reserve board, marking a significant shift in the institution's governance. Cook was fired over allegations of mortgage fraud, which she denies and has since filed a lawsuit against Trump.

Letitia James, New York attorney general, is also under investigation for alleged mortgage fraud.

In a separate development, law firms such as Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, Milbank, WilmerHale, Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, were targeted with executive orders and memos that sought to strip attorneys of their security clearance and limit their ability to enter government buildings. Some of these firms reached agreements to offer the Trump administration pro bono services, while others successfully challenged the orders in court.

Notably, law firms Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, and A&O Shearman agreed to provide free legal services worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Trump administration to avoid sanctions, while Perkins Coie successfully challenged an executive order targeting it, which was declared unconstitutional by a federal court.

Jack Smith, former special counsel, is being investigated by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel over whether his probes violated the Hatch Act.

Russell Travers, former U.S. acting director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Nicholas Rasmussen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, also had their security clearances revoked when Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office.

Andrew Liepman, former principal deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and John Moseman, former chief of staff for the Central Intelligence Agency, also had their security clearances revoked when Trump signed the executive order.

Lastly, Adam Schiff, United States senator, is being investigated by the DOJ for alleged insurance fraud.

This widespread revocation of security clearances and investigations into high-profile figures marked a significant and unprecedented chapter in American politics.

Trump Administration's List of Designated Individuals, With Lisa Cook Among Them