Jack Smith, the former Special Counsel, seemed to operate by a curious principle – one championed by Oscar Wilde: sometimes, the only way to conquer a temptation is to give in to it. This philosophy, it appears, guided a series of controversial actions during his investigation, actions now coming to light with startling implications.
Over recent months, details have emerged of secret orders targeting a wide range of individuals – members of Congress, allies of former President Trump, and others. Now, it’s been revealed that Kash Patel, a former FBI Director, and Susie Wiles, a former White House Chief of Staff, were also subjected to these orders while they were private citizens in 2022 and 2023.
Smith’s appointment as special counsel was itself met with scrutiny, given his history of aggressive legal tactics. He previously suffered a unanimous defeat before the Supreme Court in a case that overturned a conviction, and faced an acquittal in a high-profile case involving allegations against a former Senator. These experiences, however, didn’t seem to temper his approach.
Even some Democrats voiced concerns as Smith’s investigation unfolded, objecting to the targeting of Republican members of Congress, including a former Speaker of the House. He instructed telecommunications carriers not to inform those targeted that their communications were being seized, effectively silencing potential challenges to what many considered an overreach of power.
The Trump administration alleges that the prior administration deliberately concealed the targeting of Patel and Wiles, with the orders remaining hidden for nearly a year until uncovered. The details are deeply unsettling. Reports indicate the FBI recorded a phone call between Wiles and her attorney, with the attorney’s consent, but without informing Wiles herself.
The idea of an attorney agreeing to a recording of an attorney-client conversation is unusual, but recording such a call without the client’s knowledge represents a profound breach of confidentiality and legal ethics. It’s a stark illustration of the scope of the investigation and the methods employed.
These newly revealed orders appear to align with the earlier, allegedly abusive demands. Smith seemingly compiled lists of prominent Trump allies, launching what critics describe as a broad, unfocused “fishing expedition” with little concrete justification.
The fallout from this controversy has already included the reported firing of ten FBI employees. While agents are typically expected to follow orders, questions remain about whether these individuals were afforded due process before being dismissed for carrying out these directives.
The disclosed files paint a damning picture of Smith’s conduct. Granted a historic mandate to investigate a former president, he allegedly abandoned any pretense of restraint, instead pursuing a sweeping campaign targeting political opponents. His testimony offered little justification beyond a claim that such orders are commonplace.
Adding to the concerns, Smith faced difficulties in releasing damaging information and scheduling a trial before the 2024 presidential election. These actions fueled perceptions that he was attempting to influence the outcome of the election, becoming, in the eyes of many, a prosecutor driven by antagonism and unchecked authority.
Smith’s demands extended to challenging fundamental principles of free speech. The investigation appeared to leave nothing untouched in its pursuit of information. A thorough investigation by Congress and the current administration is now essential to fully understand the extent of these actions.
Smith has consistently demanded accountability from others, yet has largely evaded it himself. The Patel and Wiles orders, like those before them, likely relied on broad generalizations and demands for absolute secrecy – hallmarks of Smith’s approach. His record, marked by the collapse of high-profile cases, raises serious questions about his judgment.
He has, once again, yielded to his temptations, and the public is left to grapple with the consequences. The unfolding revelations demand scrutiny and a commitment to ensuring that such overreach never happens again.
