Staff Reports
In a twist that could only be crafted by the convoluted minds of the D.C. swamp, Jack Smith, the so-called “independent” special counsel tasked with bringing President Donald Trump to his knees, has come under fire for receiving a staggering $140,000 in legal services from Covington & Burling, a law firm famously linked to former President Barack Obama. It is baffling how a former DOJ official can sidestep the rules with such audacity while trying to take down a former president.
Smith’s sudden departure from the Department of Justice kicked off investigations into his financial disclosures, which raise an eyebrow or two. The revelation, first shared by Politico, shows just how cozy Smith is with a law firm that has business dealings with the DOJ. This raises legitimate questions about the legality of such a “gift.” Federal regulations and DOJ rules explicitly forbid officials like Smith from accepting gifts, which only makes the timing of this disclosure more intriguing.
How on earth is it legal for a law firm with clients and business before DOJ to provide $140,000 in free gifts to a top DOJ official?
DOJ rules and federal regulations explicitly prohibit officials like Jack Smith from accepting or soliciting gifts.
Smith, who did not receive a… https://t.co/3Us8VDP7wY pic.twitter.com/cddz3eX7ck
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 15, 2025
Let’s not forget the vague Office of Government Ethics (OGE) regulations, which Smith apparently tried to leverage. This rule allows federal employees to accept legal defense funds or pro bono services—provided they can link it to their past or current official duties. However, it seems a bit rich for a critical figure in Trump’s legal battles to suddenly need a high-priced law firm for “past” actions. It’s like a chef burning a steak and then demanding a five-star review for their culinary skills.
Adding spice to this already zany situation is Ed Martin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, recently appointed by none other than Trump himself. Martin’s keen eye on Smith’s financial dealings suggests that the house of cards might be about to come crashing down. His message to Smith and Covington was clear: keep your receipts handy because Lawyers’ Little Helper may soon need an audit.
The connections between Covington & Burling and the larger Democratic machine illuminate the cozy relationships at play. The firm boasts ties to Eric Holder, Obama’s first U.S. attorney general, who has had his fair share of questionable dealings in the past. From not prosecuting the big banks during the financial crisis to now poking around in vice presidential vetting for Kamala Harris, Holder and his ilk seem to be moral compasses that spin in a direction favorable to Democrats. It makes one wonder—how much further down this rabbit hole can we dig?
Every piece of this unfolding saga points toward a fundamental truth: in America’s legal theater, where Democrat “independence” resides on the same shelf as unicorns, what kind of message does a major legal firm handing out gifts send to the public? As Smith and his ilk continue their crusade against Trump, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Democratic playbook is filled with tricks for the politically connected elite, leaving the average American to ponder who truly is above the law.
