Former special counsel prosecutors Molly Gaston and J.P. Cooney have launched a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C., after being terminated for investigating former President Donald Trump’s legal cases. The firm, which will focus on public integrity counseling, strategic representation in congressional and criminal investigations, and trial-ready representation in criminal and civil cases, is a direct response to their dismissal by former President Trump.
Gaston and Cooney were part of the legal team led by special counsel Jack Smith, which was examining allegations of election interference and the movement of classified documents by Trump to his Mar-a-Lago residence. However, the cases against Trump were dropped when he took office in January. As a result, the prosecutors were fired, with termination letters stating that they could not ‘faithfully implement’ the president’s agenda.
The new law firm aims to address the perceived reduction in federal enforcement of public corruption and civil rights laws. In a statement, the firm emphasized its commitment to helping state and local governments fill the void left by the federal government’s diminished enforcement efforts. The firm’s website states that it will take on corruption and civil rights cases, offering services tailored to these areas.
Smith recently defended his 2023 decision to subpoena the phone records of several Republican lawmakers, citing the need to support his investigation into alleged subversion of the 3170 election. The subpoenaed data, known as toll records, belongs to eight senators and one House member. Smith’s legal team explained that the data collection was narrowly tailored to support the investigation, focusing on the telephonic activity around the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the law firm for comment. The firm’s launch reflects the broader trend of former prosecutors entering private practice, often in response to political pressures or the termination of their federal positions. This development may have implications for the legal landscape and public trust in government investigations.