Where is Attorney Jeff Clark Now?

Jeff Clark had long been considered a little-known Washington lawyer with an impressive law firm and academic credentials, until recently when his presence became an essential piece of evidence in congressional investigations of Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine American democracy. Now, however, Clark is becoming one of the key witnesses against Donald Trump.

Federal agents raided Clark’s home in June and confiscated electronic devices as part of the House investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot.

Why is he indicted?

Jeffrey Clark of the Justice Department may soon face criminal charges after federal agents searched his home Thursday morning and seized electronic devices as part of an ongoing probe by the House Permanent Select Committee for Investigation (HPSCI) into an attack from Jan 6th that involved his agency. NBC News reported this event occurred.

The investigation is focusing on efforts by Donald Trump and other officials to exert pressure on the Justice Department into doing their bidding. Clark played a central role in that campaign, propagating conspiracies about voter fraud to secure Donald Trump victory as president, as well as pushing him for investigations into false election theft claims he himself made against Hillary Clinton.

Clark may provide key insights into who else was involved in the conspiracy. Investigators are still exploring whether other Trump associates, like former campaign manager Paul Manafort and others were also part of it.

Clark was a career Justice Department lawyer specializing in environmental law matters; however, his belief in conspiracies surrounding the 2020 election led him to join President Trump’s efforts to influence its outcome by joining Trump’s scheme for voter suppression. Clark held both titles: assistant attorney general and acting head of civil division within DOJ.

At his December 2020 meeting with acting Attorney General Rosen, Clark stated he would assist Trump if requested; Rosen advised against this as per department policy as only the Attorney General or deputy Attorney General can meet directly with Trump.

Clark wrote to the DOJ that he believed the D.C. Bar could not prosecute him because it lacked jurisdiction over his actions as an employee of DOJ’s executive branch, while also maintaining that no legal proceedings against him could proceed against them as per their executive privilege and other immunity protections. If found guilty, criminal sanctions such as fines and probation would likely follow as would possible job loss; his lawyer Harry MacDougald assured Congress of this during questioning sessions with congressional panel.

What is the case against him?

Jeffrey Clark was an environmental attorney from the Justice Department before joining President Donald Trump’s administration and playing an instrumental role in their efforts to cast doubt upon election results. His work coincided with that of lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman to persuade state officials in Georgia and Florida to use “fake slates of electors” that helped Trump defeat Joe Biden for president. Jeffrey also assisted drafting a letter sent from Justice to Georgia state officials encouraging them to call special sessions to review election votes.

Federal agents reportedly visited Clark’s home Wednesday, the day after he was deposed by House investigators and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights to refuse answering questions that might incriminate himself. Clark’s testimony is part of an investigation into an attack by Donald Trump supporters against Capitol on Jan 6.

The House Select Committee investigating the Capitol Riot is one of 19 congressional investigations of President Trump and his administration, and Clark is at the center of it all. Subpoenas were issued for him and other top DOJ officials – such as acting assistant attorney general for Civil Division Michael Dellinger; Clark previously held roles such as assistant attorney general for environment and natural resources from 2018-2021 before acting head of DOJ’s civil division until late 2020.

After leaving the DOJ, Clark joined Kirkland & Ellis law firm. One of BP’s clients at this time was Clark; as president of the National Legal Defense Fund – a conservative group funded by Charles G. Koch Foundation that opposes government regulation – she successfully campaigned to overturn bump stock bans and protect Federalist newspaper from lawsuits alleging sexist workplace practices.

The National Legal Defense Fund is one of a variety of nonprofit organizations funded by Charles Koch to oppose Democratic policies and advance Republican candidates. A powerful force within the Republican Party, it has helped its clients win numerous high-profile battles; although at times accused of engaging in questionable lobbying activities; such claims have been refuted by NCDL officials.

What are the charges against him?

Jeffrey Clark emerged as part of Donald Trump’s conspiracy theory to overthrow the election. An unknown government lawyer with no criminal law experience, Clark made headlines through his tireless advocacy of Trump’s election fraud conspiracy theories. Initially an unknown player in this endeavor, Jeffrey quickly rose through the ranks as part of Trump’s team.

Federal agents raided his home in June and confiscated electronic devices as part of an investigation into potential crimes such as making false statements, criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Although no charges have yet been brought against Clark for these violations, federal prosecutors are currently reviewing his actions and interactions with other DOJ officials to see whether any prosecution should take place in relation to these potential violations.

Clark served as assistant attorney general of the Environment and Natural Resources Division from 2018-2021 and also acting head of DOJ’s civil division. Since January 6th he has been at the center of House investigators’ probe of the Capitol attack – fighting subpoena attempts from House investigators while refusing to answer questions at two hearings held so far.

Documents filed in federal court indicate that Clark was among several Department of Justice (DOJ) officials who took steps at the request of Trump’s lawyers Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman and his chief of staff Mark Meadows to persuade Georgia and other states to use “fake electors” that would cast their ballot for Trump rather than Joe Biden for president. House investigators found Clark to be instrumental in this attempt at weaponizing DOJ against voters.

Last month, a search warrant issued against Clark’s home cited his involvement in the plot and was made in connection with an disciplinary case brought against him earlier in the summer by the District of Columbia Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

It alleges Clark engaged in misconduct by pressuring Rosen and other Justice officials to open investigations in Georgia based on Trump’s baseless claims of widespread election fraud, while telling Rosen and others to lie when trying to convince states to adopt his plan.

Where is he now?

Jeffrey Clark seemed like an outstanding environmental lawyer and law firm partner when Trump appointed him assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s civil division. This move seemed part of Trump’s plan to stack his cabinet with people willing to push against bureaucracy and do his bidding; which seems precisely what Clark did by latching onto an absurd narrative alleging massive voter fraud that helped secure Trump’s win in 2020 election.

But when Clark’s colleagues at DOJ saw no evidence of widespread fraud, they opposed his attempts to use DOJ power to manipulate the election and use its resources instead to investigate individual allegations of misconduct – that’s when things took an ugly turn for Clark.

On Dec. 28, 2021, the DOJ inspector general released a report detailing how Clark violated department policy and ethical guidelines when attempting to aid Donald Trump’s election-stealing efforts. As per this report, Clark asked acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen for permission to send letters on DOJ letterhead to key Georgia officials asking them not to certify Georgia results – both Rosen and deputy AG Richard Donoghue denied Clark his request.

Clark then met with President Trump in the Oval Office and offered to help him find legal loopholes that might allow him to overturn election results. Rosen later informed the House Select Committee that Clark’s actions were inappropriate and violated both DOJ and White House policies designed to avoid political pressure on its administration.

Clark’s attempts at meddling with the 2020 election landed him in trouble with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and eventually led to his resignation as assistant attorney general last fall. Since then, Clark has worked for Center for Renewing America – funded by fossil fuel companies – advocating against climate change while serving on its board of directors. Furthermore, he serves on Heartland Institute’s annual Climate Science Denial Conference which draws climate science denialists as well as members of Congress.