Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting a law firm that assisted Trump’s prosecutor, Jack Smith.Newsweek sought email comment on Wednesday from the office of Attorney General Pam Bondi, former special counsel Jack Smith and the law offices of Covington & Burling.Why It MattersTrump has repeatedly vowed to prosecute those who had indicted him. By targeting a firm that assisted Smith, Trump is signaling that he will target even those who offer legal advice to his enemies.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order against the Covington & Burling law firm in the Oval Office at the White House on February 25, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order against the Covington & Burling law firm in the Oval Office at the White House on February 25, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
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What To KnowSmith had taken two cases against Trump—one for alleged illegal interference in the 2020 election and one for allegedly hoarding presidential records in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.Both cases were eventually dropped when Trump was elected president.On February 25, Trump signed a memo suspending the federal building security clearances of employees at Covington & Burling law firm in Washington, D.C.Legal AdviceThe firm had provided free legal advice to Smith after it became clear that Trump might prosecute him.Trump’s memo also blocks the firm from any government contracts.”I also direct the Attorney General and heads of agencies to take such actions as are necessary to terminate any engagement of Covington & Burling LLP by any agency to the maximum extent permitted by law and consistent with the memorandum that shall be issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,” the memo states.’Deranged’ Jack Smith”We’re going to call it the deranged Jack Smith signing, or bill,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. “The weaponization of our system by law firms, even pro bono work they’re doing in order to clog up government, stop government. And nobody knows about it better than me and, hopefully, that will never happen again.”TargetingWhen a reporter asked why he was targeting Smith, Trump said: “Excuse me, I’ve been targeted for four years, longer than that. You don’t tell me about targeting. I was the target of corrupt politicians for four years and then four years after that, so don’t tell me about targeting.”After signing the memo, Trump asked if anyone wanted the pen. He then threw the pen to someone and joked that they should give it to Smith.The memo is a response to Smith’s financial disclosure in February in which he declared that he personally received a gift of $140,000-worth of legal services from Covington & Burling.Federal employees are allowed to accept pro bono [free] legal services as long as they declare it.President Barack Obama’s former Attorney General Eric Holder is now a senior attorney at the firm, which may have added to Trump’s annoyance.Anyone Who AssistedWhile Trump’s memo only names one Covington attorney, Peter Koski, the memo states that it applies to anyone at the law firm “who assisted former Special Counsel Jack Smith during his time as Special Counsel, pending a review and determination of their roles and responsibilities, if any, in the weaponization of the judicial process.”Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, has announced a “Weaponization Working Group” that will investigate Smith and others for past “weaponization” of the legal system against Trump.
What People Are SayingIn a statement, Covington & Burling only recently agreed to help Smith after “it became apparent that he would become the subject of a government investigation.””For more than 100 years, Covington has represented clients facing government investigations, consistent with the best traditions of the legal profession,” the firm said.”Covington serves as defense counsel to Jack Smith in his personal, individual capacity. We look forward to defending Mr. Smith’s interests and appreciate the trust he has placed in us to do so.”What Happens NextAttorney General Pam Bondi will continue with her Weaponization Working Group to assess if Smith or others broke the law in prosecuting Trump.However, it’s highly unlikely that Smith could be convicted of any criminal offence.
