In a significant legal rebuke, a federal judge has intervened to restore the security clearance of a prominent national security attorney, ruling that the Trump administration revoked it as an act of political retaliation.
Clearance Restored After Legal Battle
Attorney Mark Zaid, who represents whistleblowers and clients in high-profile national security cases, confirmed on Monday that his access to classified information has been fully reinstated. This follows a federal judge's order in late December that the White House must immediately restore his clearance.
The controversy began in March 2025, when the administration of President Donald Trump issued a memorandum revoking Zaid's security clearance. The document placed Zaid on a notable list of individuals deemed enemies of the president, which included figures like former President Joe Biden, his family, former Vice-President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The White House claimed it was "no longer in the national interest" for those named to retain access to sensitive material. Zaid responded by filing a lawsuit in May, arguing the move was "improper political retribution" designed to hinder his legal work.
Judge Cites Clear Evidence of Retaliation
On 23 December 2025, Federal Judge Amir H. Ali granted Zaid's request for a preliminary injunction. In his order, Judge Ali was unequivocal, finding that Zaid's representation of whistleblowers and clients adverse to the government was the sole reason for summarily revoking his security clearance.
The judge further stated that the administration had "denied Zaid the process and individualized assessment afforded to others." This ruling compelled the government to reverse its decision, leading to the confirmation Zaid received this week that the March memo is "no longer in effect" concerning him.
Zaid's legal practice heavily relies on such clearances. He argued that losing it jeopardised his ability to represent clients in matters requiring access to classified information and undermined the principle of advocating for clients "without fear of retribution." He is best known for representing the whistleblower central to Trump's first impeachment, which focused on a 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A Pattern of Political Targeting
The March memorandum that targeted Zaid was widely seen as a document listing political opponents. Alongside major political figures, it included names like New York Attorney General Letitia James and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
In a July interview with the Guardian, Zaid expressed bewilderment at his prominent placement on the list, questioning, "Why am I fourth, ahead of the president and vice-president?" He stated that while the action against him was consistent with his expectations of the administration, the specific ranking was puzzling.
The White House has not immediately commented on the judge's ruling or the restoration of Zaid's clearance. This case highlights ongoing tensions between legal advocates for government transparency and executive power, setting a precedent against using security clearances as a tool for political punishment.
