Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Episode: Jack Smith POUNCES on CORRUPT Trump DOJ
Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Michael Popok (national trial lawyer), with contributions from Ben Meiselas (founder) and context around Jack Smith (former Special Counsel)
Theme:
A hard-hitting legal analysis on Jack Smith’s public response and legal posture as the Trump Justice Department, under Trump’s direct orders, pursues what appear to be politically motivated indictments against former DOJ officials, including Smith himself. The episode unpacks Trump’s attacks on prosecutors, the weaponization of the DOJ, internal conflicts among Trump's legal team, and the implications for the rule of law.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode focuses on the dramatic escalation of Donald Trump’s post-presidential campaign to prosecute political enemies, including former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The hosts dissect Trump’s evolving strategy to use the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a tool of personal retribution, the internal chaos within Trump’s legal circle, Jack Smith’s rare and striking defense of the DOJ’s integrity, and the broader impact on American democracy and legal process.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Escalating Attacks on Prosecutors

• [00:28–04:33] Michael Popok sets the stage:
  • Trump, now back in the Oval Office, is using the full force of the DOJ not only for self-defense but as a weapon against his perceived enemies.
  • Michael lampoons the Attorney General (Pam Bondi), Cash Patel (FBI Director), and Todd Blanche, noting their visible discomfort as Trump launches into his tirade.
  • Discussion of Trump’s personal vendetta against Jack Smith, Lisa Monaco, James Comey, Fani Willis, and Letitia James—those who have prosecuted or investigated him.
  • Notable analysis: The charges against Jack Smith (possible Hatch Act violations) are described as “laugh out loud,” underscoring their weakness and political nature.
  • The Office of Special Counsel—the agency meant to examine such violations—is leaderless and dysfunctional, making these so-called investigations suspect.

2. Highlighting the Absurdity and Danger of Politicized Justice

• [04:33–06:22] Trump’s public statement (audio clip):

  • Trump calls the DOJ’s handling of his prosecution “the worst weaponization of a political opponent in world history.”
  • He labels Jack Smith “a criminal,” calls for investigations into DOJ figures and even opposition politicians (“Shifty Schiff”), and asserts his theoretical authority as “chief law enforcement officer.”
  • Claims about “zero people came in illegally” (regarding the border) are dropped in, blurring lines between issues and showcasing rhetorical tactics.

  Notable Quote:

  “Jack Smith, in my opinion, is a criminal... If we don’t have fair elections in this country, we’re not going to have a country.”
  — Donald Trump [04:56]

3. Chaotic Power Dynamics inside Trump’s DOJ

• [06:22–08:18] Internal dysfunction:

  • Michael Popok describes the lack of unity among Trump’s core legal team: Bondi, Blanche, and Patel are said to “not even get along,” with Bondi and Blanche at war with Patel.
  • The real power is alleged to be with Ed Martin, described as the “shadow attorney general,” whose radicalism kept him from confirmation, but who now pulls the strings behind the scenes.

  Notable Quote:

  “Pam Bondi’s just a meat puppet. So are the other two... He pulls them all together to show unity, then reams them out and embarrasses them.”
  — Michael Popok [06:22]

4. Jack Smith Breaks His Silence—Defending Apolitical Prosecution

• [08:18–10:37] Jack Smith’s rare interview (audio clip):

  • Smith extols the integrity and apolitical nature of DOJ career prosecutors, calling it “ludicrous” to think political motivations drove their high-profile cases.
  • He laments how easily the public can be convinced to demonize these non-political civil servants.
  • Smith critiques the prosecution of James Comey as an example of flawed, last-minute, results-driven indictment—contrary to DOJ norms.

  Notable Quote:

  “The idea that politics played a role in who worked on that case or who got chosen is ludicrous... Process shouldn’t be a political issue.”
  — Jack Smith [08:55]

  Memorable Line:

  “If you’re not inside the US Department of Justice, the idea that politics would play a role in big cases like this, it’s absolutely ludicrous.”
  — Jack Smith [09:05]

5. Legal Fallout and What Comes Next

• [10:37–13:48] Michael Popok’s legal foresight:

  • Popok predicts that the charges against Comey are “not worth the paper they’re written on” and that immediate motions for dismissal (based on procedural and vindictive prosecution grounds) will follow.
  • Letitia James is expected to win her mortgage fraud case, with Popok decrying how no responsible prosecutor would pursue such charges.
  • He references the coming indictment of John Bolton (expected in Maryland) and the pattern of Trump targeting adversaries.
  • Popok warns that the DOJ under Trump has “shown a complete corruption, complete capture,” with no independent thought or restraint from Trump’s desires.
  • He concludes with support for Jack Smith and a commitment to cover the potential future indictment closely.

  Notable Quote:

  “There’s no independent thought going on behind closed doors of the Department of Justice... [Donald Trump] is just... raping and pillaging and setting fire to the village. And he can’t control him any longer. Neither can Pam Bondi.”
  — Michael Popok [11:41]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Rage Room:

  “Jack Smith, in my opinion, is a criminal... I’m allowed. You know, I’m in theory the chief law enforcement officer.”
  — Donald Trump [05:08]

• Smith on DOJ Integrity:

  “Process shouldn’t be a political issue. Like if there’s rules in the department about how to bring a case, follow those rules. You can’t say, I want this outcome, let me throw the rules out.”
  — Jack Smith [09:51]

• Popok on Internal DOJ Chaos:

  “He pulls them all together to try to show a unity... and then he sat there and reamed them out and embarrassed them on his carpet in the White House.”
  — Michael Popok [06:44]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:28–04:33] – Popok frames Trump’s targeting of Jack Smith, background on the DOJ politicization, dysfunction at the Office of Special Counsel.
• [04:41–06:22] – Trump’s own words: attacks on Jack Smith, DOJ, and calls for prosecution of political opponents.
• [06:22–08:18] – Popok analyzes internal fractures and the “shadow attorney general” Ed Martin.
• [08:18–10:37] – Jack Smith’s interview: a defense of DOJ norms, critique of politicized indictments.
• [10:37–13:48] – Deep dive into the legal weaknesses of pending prosecutions and forecast for legal strategy.

Conclusion

This incisive Legal AF episode spells out the peril inherent in a corruption-captured DOJ being leveraged by Trump for retribution. The hosts balance biting humor, legal insight, and deep concern over the erosion of apolitical prosecution. Jack Smith’s principled, somber defense of DOJ norms provides a counterpoint to Trump’s vengeful rhetoric, underscoring what’s at stake for American justice and democracy.

For those tracking the interplay between law and politics in post-2024 America, this episode provides essential, unvarnished context and analysis.