Documents released by Senator Chuck Grassley show former special counsel Jack Smith and his team coordinated with federal judges while pursuing investigations involving Donald Trump.
Briefing notes prepared for Attorney General Merrick Garland on Jan. 13, 2023, shortly after Smith’s appointment, reference meetings with U.S. District Judges Beryl Howell and James Boasberg. The notes state Howell “liked our approach” and “loves the idea” of pursuing an omnibus executive privilege motion to consolidate multiple ongoing cases, including those involving former Trump officials such as Mark Meadows and Ken Cuccinelli, into a single action rather than separate filings already moving through the courts.
The materials also reference a planned March 18, 2023 meeting with Boasberg as he prepared to become chief judge, as well as coordination with FBI officials described as “very responsive.” Smith’s team cited “precedent-setting issues” involving executive privilege and the Speech or Debate clause while seeking access to materials tied to individuals in Trump’s orbit.
Smith’s investigations later resulted in criminal charges against Trump related to the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents.
