Jack Smith's $140,000 'Gift' Raises Eyebrows - US Attorney Warns 'Save Your Receipts'

As he counted down the days until his departure from the federal government—before President Donald Trump could remove him—special counsel Jack Smith was benefiting from free legal assistance provided by a well-connected Washington law firm.

Smith served as special counsel in both the election interference case against Trump and the allegations regarding mishandled classified documents. Both cases have since been dismissed.

According to Politico, Smith received $140,000 in pro bono legal services from Covington & Burling before stepping down. This free legal assistance was documented in a disclosure form Smith submitted in January.

The disclosure prompted a pointed response from U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin.

“Save your receipts, Smith and Covington. We’ll be in touch soon. #NoOneIsAboveTheLaw,” Martin posted on X.

Politico reported that the Biden-era Justice Department was seemingly aware of and supported Smith’s request for free legal aid under a regulation allowing such assistance if it pertains to “the employee’s past or current official position.” However, such an arrangement requires approval from an agency official.

During the campaign, Trump frequently criticized Smith in his public statements.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has expressed her intent to probe “Weaponization by Special Counsel Jack Smith and his staff who spent more than $50 million targeting President Trump, and the prosecutors and law enforcement personnel who participated in the unprecedented raid on President Trump’s home.”

Federalist CEO Sean Davis also condemned the deal in a post on X.

“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 pardon from Joe Biden, needs to be criminally investigated for this,” he wrote.

Newsweek pointed out that the law firm employs several former Department of Justice officials, including former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served during the Obama administration.

Alan Vinegrad, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York who previously worked with Smith, is also a partner at the firm.