Former Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark attended Donald Trump‘s trial in Manhattan on Thursday. Clark, a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Justice Department, was indicted for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

During Trump’s Thursday trial, Clark sat at the back of the courtroom during the cross-examination of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. On the stand, Cohen called Trump a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain” on his podcast. Several other Trump allies joined Clark, though they did not come with Trump’s entourage. 

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson was among those who made the pilgrimage to the Manhattan courtroom.

After President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Clark falsely claimed the Justice Department was investigating errors and irregularities in the election results. In April, a D.C. Bar panel found Clark responsible for ethical violations by promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Clark made several baseless claims, including the idea that smart thermostats were utilized to steal the election. 

Trump previously considered appointing Clark as acting U.S. Attorney General. The former president withdrew the idea after Justice Department officials threatened mass resignation. Clark, an environmental lawyer, holds no background in criminal law. 

If Trump is reelected, Clark may be employed once more. However, his ability to practice law may limit his ability to serve in the Justice Department. 

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Ann Hoang

Article by Ann Hoang

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