Judge Reinstates Whistleblower Lawyer Zaid’s Security Clearance

December 24, 2025, 4:40 PM UTC

A federal court ordered the Trump administration to reinstate whistleblower lawyer Mark Zaid’s security clearance after revoking it out of what the judge called “retribution.”

Zaid showed he was entitled to relief regarding the revocation by agencies including the CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, US District Judge for the District of Columbia Amir H. Ali wrote Tuesday.

“This case involves the government’s retribution against a lawyer because he represented whistleblowers and other clients who complained about the government,” Judge Ali wrote in his order.

Zaid is an attorney who specializes in national security law and represents ...

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