Investigation initiated against former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith by an autonomous political oversight body
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has launched an investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith, focusing on allegations that he violated the Hatch Act by bringing criminal charges against former President Donald Trump before the 2024 election.
The investigation was prompted by a referral from Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who argued that Smith's prosecutions were politically motivated actions intended to harm Trump's electoral prospects. The OSC's inquiry is examining whether Smith's legal actions had a partisan intent rather than a legitimate prosecutorial basis, potentially breaching laws restricting political activity by federal officials.
Smith had overseen two major cases against Trump: one involving alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, and another related to possession of classified documents. Both Smith and former Attorney General Merrick Garland have maintained that the investigations were not politically motivated.
The OSC is not a criminal investigative body, and it remains unclear what measures it could take if a violation is found, especially since Smith is no longer a government employee. However, the Department of Justice is conducting its own review of Smith’s prosecutorial conduct under a separate “Weaponization Working Group” led by a former interim U.S. attorney.
Meanwhile, Trump has selected Paul Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcast host, to replace Hampton Dellinger, who was abruptly fired by the Trump administration. Ingrassia has faced criticism for praising criminally charged influencer Andrew Tate as an "extraordinary human being" and promoting the false claim that the 2020 election was rigged.
In the Senate, a Senate panel was set to consider Ingrassia's nomination at a hearing last month, but it was pulled from the agenda. The White House had no immediate comment on the investigation into Smith, first reported by The New York Post.
In other news, the Senate heads home without a deal to speed confirmations, and a judge allowed the National Science Foundation to withhold hundreds of millions of research dollars. The trade representative, Jamieson Greer, is serving as acting head of the office in the absence of a permanent appointment.
[1] New York Post, "Office of Special Counsel Launches Investigation into Jack Smith," link [2] CNN, "Trump's Special Counsel Investigation: What We Know So Far," link
- The examination being conducted by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) about former Special Counsel Jack Smith might potentially uncover evidence of politically motivated actions in his legal cases against former President Donald Trump, which could breach laws restricting political activity by federal officials.
- The OSC's inquiry is focusing on Smith's prosecutions related to alleged conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results and possession of classified documents, to determine whether these actions were politically motivated or had a legitimate prosecutorial basis.
- While the OSC is not a criminal investigative body, the Department of Justice is also reviewing Smith’s prosecutorial conduct under a separate “Weaponization Working Group,” as reported by CNN.
- In a different context, Trump has selected Paul Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcast host, for a job in his administration, a decision that has been met with criticism due to his praise for criminally charged influencer Andrew Tate and promotion of false claims about the 2020 election being rigged.
