The Justice Department recently issued a redacted subpoena for former President Donald Trump’s Twitter account, now called X, amid Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into efforts to sway the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The redacted order caused disruption among many social media users, as it requested “lists of Twitter users who have favorited or retweeted” posts by Trump, “as well as all tweets that include the username associated with the account (ie “mentions” or “answers”).”
The order sought a variety of other data from Twitter about Trump’s account, such as personal information, devices used to log into the account, content of direct messages sent by the account and information about who the account followed. it was not followed, blocked and kept silent.
“All content, records, and other information related to all other interactions between the SUBJECT ACCOUNT and other Twitter users from October 2020 through January 2021,” the order said.
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Smith is currently investigating Trump, accusing the former president of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his actions in connection with the subsequent January 6 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. While the redacted order sought information about accounts that followed and liked Trump’s posts on the social media platform, he has not explicitly said he plans to investigate anyone else in connection with the 2020 election.
However, the release of the order prompted a flurry of responses on X, with many users criticizing Smith and supporting Trump.
“Smith requested that Twitter provide data on ‘all lists of Twitter users who have favorited or retweeted posts from [Trump]as well as all tweets that include the username associated with the account (ie ‘mentions’ or ‘replies’).’ Jack Smith also searched for Trump-drafted tweets as well as his DMs,” Collin Rugg, co-founder of Trending Politics. has written on X. “Enemy of the people”.
X user @ericmatheny has written“Dear Jack Smith: My name is Eric Matheny and my Twitter handle is @ericmmatheny. I’ve shared and liked countless Trump posts and followed him for years. Still do. I hope I did. your easiest job.”
X user @GuntherEagleman said“Dear Jack Smith, FBI, DOJ, I support President Trump, go ahead and put me on your f****** list… Don’t worry. Signed by a real American.”
Tom Fitton, president of the watchdog Judicial Watch, also spoke about the warrant, saying it “gives further urgency to Congress to END this fraudulent operation NOW. Call your members of Congress now to share your views.”
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s spokesman via email Wednesday for comment.
