Investigative authority Jack Smith, tasked with managing the Department of Justice's Trump-related investigations.
In November 2022, Jack Smith, a seasoned Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney with a distinguished career, was appointed as an independent special counsel to oversee two ongoing DOJ criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump. These investigations focused on Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, particularly in relation to the January 6 Capitol attack, and the mishandling of classified government documents after he left office.
Smith, who has served as the chief prosecutor at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague and held positions such as assistant U.S. attorney and head of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, began his tenure with a series of significant indictments against Trump. In June 2023, Trump was indicted on 37 counts related to the classified documents case, which later increased to 40 counts in July. Another indictment, with four charges, was issued in August 2023 concerning the January 6 election subversion case.
However, both cases faced setbacks in the judicial system. In July 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case, stating that Smith's appointment as special counsel was unlawful. Smith's office initially appealed the decision but later dropped the appeal following Trump's victory in the 2024 election. In November 2024, Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the January 6 case, citing constitutional concerns regarding charging a President-elect.
Recently, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal watchdog, launched an investigation into Smith. The OSC is examining allegations that Smith's investigations into Trump were politically motivated, potentially violating the Hatch Act, which restricts political activities by federal officials. The probe was initiated after Senator Tom Cotton called for scrutiny, claiming Smith's actions may have aimed to benefit then-President Biden and Vice President Harris.
It is important to note that Jack Smith, as a career DOJ prosecutor, will exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide whether charges should be brought against Trump. James McGovern, a former colleague of Smith, described him as the consummate prosecutor and public servant.
This article was originally published in November 2022 and has been updated to include recent developments.
References: 1. The New York Times 2. CNN 3. The Washington Post 4. ABC News
- The November 2022 appointment of Jack Smith, a seasoned DOJ attorney, as an independent special counsel, marked the beginning of his overseeing potentially controversial investigations into former President Trump.
- In a series of investigations focused on Trump's alleged election interfering and mishandling of classified documents, Smith indicted Trump on 77 counts in June and August 2023, largely related to these cases.
- Despite the indictments, both cases encounter setbacks in the judicial system, with dismissals in July 2024 and November 2024 respectively, due to concerns about unlawful appointments and charging a President-elect.
- As of recent, the Office of Special Counsel initiated an investigation into Smith, alleging politically motivated actions that could potentially violate the Hatch Act, following calls for scrutiny from Senator Tom Cotton.
- The general-news landscape frequently features updates on the crime-and-justice saga involving Jack Smith and Trump, with publications like The New York Times, CNN, The Washington Post, and ABC News regularly reporting on this matter.
