DOJ Investigation Demanded by Tom Cotton over Alleged Election Interference by Jack Smith
In a letter to the acting head of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), Senator Tom Cotton, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has requested an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who brought criminal cases against Donald Trump.
The probe follows allegations that Smith's legal actions, specifically the timing and nature of indictments against Trump, were intended to affect the 2024 presidential election and thus breach federal law restricting political activity by federal employees.
Jack Smith was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to investigate Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol attack and mishandling of classified documents. Smith indicted Trump in 2023 on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and Espionage Act violations.
In one example, Cotton accuses Smith of fast-tracking the trial date and jury selection for his case against Trump related to his August 2023 indictment that was part of his 2020 election investigation. This, Cotton argues, is unusual given defendants typically have more than two years to prepare for such trials.
Cotton also accuses Smith of violating the Justice Department's "60-day rule," by filing a brief following the Supreme Court's decision regarding presidential immunity, which was granted on Sept. 26, 2024, a little over a month out from the election.
The letter does not specify what the specific allegations of unlawful political actions are. It also does not provide any evidence to support the allegations against Smith. Fox News Digital reached out to Smith but did not immediately hear back.
It is unclear whether the Justice Department has responded to the request for an investigation or whether the Office of Special Counsel has agreed to investigate Smith. President Trump or his legal team have not commented on the allegations against Smith.
This investigation marks a federal inquiry into whether Smith’s prosecution efforts were politically motivated, especially considering these indictments occurred before the 2024 election. If found guilty of such violations, Smith could face penalties under the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity.
[1] Fox News Digital, "Senator Tom Cotton calls for investigation into Jack Smith over allegations of unlawful political actions," 26 September 2024. [2] CNN, "Trump indicted by Jack Smith in multiple felony charges," 23 August 2023. [3] Politico, "Senator Tom Cotton requests investigation into Jack Smith over 2024 election interference," 26 September 2024.
(Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.)
- The investigation requested by Senator Tom Cotton into Jack Smith, the former special counsel, centers around allegations that his legal actions, notably the timing and nature of indictments against Donald Trump, potentially breached federal laws and were politically motivated, influencing the 2024 presidential election.
- This federal inquiry, triggered by Senator Tom Cotton, may impact Smith's standing given that, if found guilty of such violations under the Hatch Act, he could face penalties for engaging in political activity as a federal employee, during media coverage of war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, politics, and general news.
