Trump's recent executive orders underscore ongoing frustration with the Russia probe
By going after another law firm and making files related to Crossfire Hurricane public, Trump is persistently seeking retribution for the Russia investigation from his first term.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with the FBI by declassifying documents connected to the bureau’s investigation into alleged collusion between his 2016 campaign and Russia. He also sanctioned a law firm associated with a prominent figure from that investigation.
During a meeting with U.S. ambassadors, Trump signed a memorandum that declassifies all FBI files tied to "Crossfire Hurricane," the counterintelligence probe that special counsel Robert Mueller took over in 2017.
The memorandum instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release these documents to the public immediately.
“Frankly, the FBI should be ashamed of themselves and so should the Department of Justice and so should Biden,” Trump stated. Mueller’s nearly two-year investigation ultimately found no evidence that Trump had criminally conspired with Russia and did not render a judgment on whether Trump obstructed the investigation. Trump has continuously denied all allegations of wrongdoing and was never charged.
In addition to the memorandum, Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the law firm Jenner & Block, marking the fourth occasion in recent weeks where he has specifically targeted a major law firm. This move, similar to previous sanctions, revokes security clearances for the firm's attorneys, excludes the firm from government contracts, and prohibits firm employees from entering government buildings.
“Jenner & Block has had a long history representing clients, paid and pro bono, in their most difficult matters since 1914,” a spokesperson for the firm remarked. “Today, we have been named in an Executive Order similar to one which has already been declared unconstitutional by a federal court. We remain focused on serving and safeguarding our clients’ interests with the dedication, integrity, and expertise that has defined our firm for more than one hundred years and will pursue all appropriate remedies.”
The executive order specifically calls out Andrew Weissmann, a prominent deputy under Mueller, who has held various high-ranking roles in the FBI and the Justice Department. Weissmann has been an outspoken critic of Trump since the conclusion of the Mueller investigation, frequently using cable news and social media to voice his opposition.
“The numerous reports of Weissman's dishonesty, including pursuit of nonexistent crimes, bribery to foreign nationals, and overt demand that the Federal Government pursue a political agenda against me, is a concerning indictment of Jenner's values and priorities,” the order reads.
Weissmann, who had been a partner at Jenner & Block in the 2000s, rejoined the firm in 2020 but left in 2021.
“He’s a bad guy,” Trump remarked about Weissmann while signing the order. Trump had previously revoked Weissmann's security clearance.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf explained the order to the president and reporters, stating that it aims to halt the firm's use of “racially and sexually discriminatory practices” and its involvement in the “weaponization of the legal system against American principles and values.”
The scrutiny of Jenner & Block for employing a lawyer with whom Trump has a personal vendetta mirrors similar actions he has undertaken against law firms Perkins Coie and Paul, Weiss. Sanctions against those firms were also linked to work done by former employees on behalf of Hillary Clinton or organizations investigating Trump.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
During a meeting with U.S. ambassadors, Trump signed a memorandum that declassifies all FBI files tied to "Crossfire Hurricane," the counterintelligence probe that special counsel Robert Mueller took over in 2017.
The memorandum instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to release these documents to the public immediately.
“Frankly, the FBI should be ashamed of themselves and so should the Department of Justice and so should Biden,” Trump stated. Mueller’s nearly two-year investigation ultimately found no evidence that Trump had criminally conspired with Russia and did not render a judgment on whether Trump obstructed the investigation. Trump has continuously denied all allegations of wrongdoing and was never charged.
In addition to the memorandum, Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the law firm Jenner & Block, marking the fourth occasion in recent weeks where he has specifically targeted a major law firm. This move, similar to previous sanctions, revokes security clearances for the firm's attorneys, excludes the firm from government contracts, and prohibits firm employees from entering government buildings.
“Jenner & Block has had a long history representing clients, paid and pro bono, in their most difficult matters since 1914,” a spokesperson for the firm remarked. “Today, we have been named in an Executive Order similar to one which has already been declared unconstitutional by a federal court. We remain focused on serving and safeguarding our clients’ interests with the dedication, integrity, and expertise that has defined our firm for more than one hundred years and will pursue all appropriate remedies.”
The executive order specifically calls out Andrew Weissmann, a prominent deputy under Mueller, who has held various high-ranking roles in the FBI and the Justice Department. Weissmann has been an outspoken critic of Trump since the conclusion of the Mueller investigation, frequently using cable news and social media to voice his opposition.
“The numerous reports of Weissman's dishonesty, including pursuit of nonexistent crimes, bribery to foreign nationals, and overt demand that the Federal Government pursue a political agenda against me, is a concerning indictment of Jenner's values and priorities,” the order reads.
Weissmann, who had been a partner at Jenner & Block in the 2000s, rejoined the firm in 2020 but left in 2021.
“He’s a bad guy,” Trump remarked about Weissmann while signing the order. Trump had previously revoked Weissmann's security clearance.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf explained the order to the president and reporters, stating that it aims to halt the firm's use of “racially and sexually discriminatory practices” and its involvement in the “weaponization of the legal system against American principles and values.”
The scrutiny of Jenner & Block for employing a lawyer with whom Trump has a personal vendetta mirrors similar actions he has undertaken against law firms Perkins Coie and Paul, Weiss. Sanctions against those firms were also linked to work done by former employees on behalf of Hillary Clinton or organizations investigating Trump.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
