President Donald Trump blew off a loaded question from a reporter on Wednesday regarding his Justice Department’s alleged “targeting” of former special counsel Jack Smith.
Smith, who brought two federal cases against the current White House occupant after being appointed by then-President Joe Biden’s DOJ, resigned his post and filed paperwork in federal court to drop the cases before Trump’s November victory.
A reporter attempted to question Trump about the alleged “targeting” of Smith and other political opponents during a Q&A session in the Oval Office, but the president swiftly dismissed him.
“Mr. President, what do you say to people who worry that targeting an individual firm or individuals who aren’t Jack Smith,” the reporter asked in a clip posted to the social media platform X.
“Excuse me,” Trump broke in. “I’ve been targeted for four years. Longer than that. So 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 talk to me about targeting,” the president added.
WATCH:
.@POTUS slams a Fake News reporter: “I’ve been targeted for four years… I was the target of corrupt politicians for four years. Don’t talk to me about targeting.” pic.twitter.com/tdp5Vj0uhb
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 25, 2025
The exchange came as Trump signed an order revoking the security clearances for employees of a top Washington, D.C.-based law firm who assisted in Jack Smith’s investigations, Fox News first reported.
The memo details the administration’s broad strategy to suspend security clearances for all counsel members involved in Smith’s dual special counsel investigations into Trump, as confirmed by the White House.
The move is the latest in a series of actions by Trump aimed at stripping power from his political and legal opponents.
The memo directs the federal government to review and, “to the maximum extent permitted by law,” terminate the engagement of the law firm Covington & Burling LLP by the U.S. government. Additionally, it mandates a thorough evaluation of funding decisions to ensure alignment with the interests of American citizens and the priorities of the current administration, as outlined in executive directives.
Among those under scrutiny is Peter Koski, the former deputy chief of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section. Covington Vice Chair Lanny Breuer, who led the Justice Department’s criminal division under President Barack Obama, is also expected to face significant review. Breuer, notably, recruited Jack Smith in 2010 to head up the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section.
The two made headlines earlier this month after Politico reported that they had provided pro bono legal services to Smith prior to his resignation from the Justice Department last month.
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that the firm had offered Smith $140,000 worth of free legal services, Fox News added.
In revoking the government clearances of top Justice Department personnel, the administration said the president is “sending a clear message that the Federal Government will no longer tolerate the abuse of power by partisan actors who exploit their positions for political gain.”
Covington & Burling is home to a roster of former Justice Department officials, including former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah Harrington, and Stacey Grigsby, who previously served as deputy White House counsel to President Joe Biden.
“All contracts with Covington & Burling LLP will undergo a detailed evaluation to ensure agency funding decisions align with American citizens’ interests and the priorities of this Administration, as detailed in executive directives,” the memo says, per Fox.
Smith was appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to investigate allegations that Trump and his allies attempted to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Florida residence after leaving office.
Previously, Smith indicted Trump in Washington, D.C., on charges related to his alleged efforts to reverse the 2020 election outcome. He also brought federal charges against Trump in Florida regarding his handling of classified documents following his departure from the White House.
“Both cases were dropped after Trump’s election, in keeping with a longstanding Justice Department memo that states it is against DOJ policy to investigate a sitting president for federal criminal charges,” Fox added.