‘Don’t Talk to Me’: Trump Hits Back At Reporter For Shouting At Him

President Donald Trump brushed aside a pointed question from a reporter on Wednesday about claims that his Justice Department has been “targeting” former special counsel Jack Smith.

Smith, who had pursued two federal cases against Trump after being appointed under the Biden administration’s DOJ, officially stepped down and moved to dismiss those cases shortly before Trump secured his victory last November.

During a media Q&A held in the Oval Office, a reporter attempted to press Trump on the alleged “targeting” of Smith and other perceived political adversaries. Trump, however, quickly cut him off.

“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, as shown in a video shared on X.

“Excuse me,” Trump interrupted. “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,” Trump added.

WATCH:

The exchange unfolded as Trump signed an order revoking the security clearances of employees at a prominent D.C. law firm that had been involved in Smith’s investigations, according to Fox News.

The official memo outlines a broader administration strategy to strip security clearances from all attorneys connected to Smith’s dual investigations, a move the White House has since confirmed.

This order marks the latest step in a string of actions Trump has taken to curb the influence of both political and legal opponents.

The document instructs the federal government to review and—“to the maximum extent permitted by law”—terminate Covington & Burling LLP’s work with the U.S. government. It also calls for a comprehensive review of funding decisions, ensuring they align with “the interests of American citizens” and reflect the administration’s current priorities, according to executive guidance.

Among those named for review is Peter Koski, previously a deputy chief in the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section. Lanny Breuer, Covington’s Vice Chair and the former head of the DOJ’s criminal division under President Obama, is also under scrutiny. Breuer had hired Smith in 2010 to lead the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section.

Both Breuer and Smith recently made headlines after Politico reported that Covington had provided Smith with free legal representation before his resignation.

On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that Covington had supplied Smith with $140,000 worth of pro bono legal services, Fox News also reported.

In justifying the decision to revoke government clearances for key DOJ personnel, the administration emphasized that 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, a firm well known for its roster of former DOJ officials—including ex-Attorney General Eric Holder, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sarah Harrington, and former Biden White House counsel deputy Stacey Grigsby—will now face heightened scrutiny.

“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 states, according to Fox News.

Smith had originally been appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to lead investigations into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago after leaving office.

Prior to his resignation, Smith charged Trump in D.C. with crimes linked to his attempts to dispute the 2020 election outcome. He also filed federal charges in Florida over the classified documents case.

“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.