Senators from the Republican party are pushing for an investigation into allegations that Jack Smith inappropriately interfered with the upcoming 2024 election, possibly breaking the law in his actions.
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is currently investigating former Special Counsel Jack Smith for potential Hatch Act violations, following a complaint from Senator Tom Cotton. The investigation stems from allegations that Smith's prosecutorial actions, particularly the timing and handling of indictments against former President Donald Trump, may have unlawfully interfered in the political process[1][2][3][4][5].
Senator Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Smith of expediting trial dates and publishing information with no legitimate purpose during his tenure[6][7]. He also claimed that Smith regularly used far-fetched and aggressive legal theories to prosecute the Republican nominee for president[7].
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from participating in political activities while performing their official duties. The OSC investigation is civil in nature and focuses on whether Smith’s actions violated this statute[1][3][4][5]. The investigation is ongoing, with no findings or conclusions publicly released as of August 2025[1][2][3].
Smith was tapped by former Attorney General Merrick Garland to probe allegations that Donald Trump sought to overturn the 2020 election results[8]. He later investigated the handling of classified documents that were uncovered during a raid at Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound[9]. The indictment against President Trump, handled by Special Counsel Smith, included four charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights[10].
The request for an investigation into Smith comes amidst ongoing political tensions and allegations surrounding the 2020 and 2024 elections[11]. Senator Cotton argued that the trial dates for Trump's case were fast-tracked, with jury selection scheduled just two weeks before the Iowa Caucuses in 2024[11]. One of the instances cited by Senator Cotton involved the fast-tracking of the trial date and jury selection for Smith's case against Donald Trump related to his August 2023 indictment[11].
The Office of the Special Counsel is tasked with ensuring federal employees aren't conducting partisan political activity under the guise of their federal employment[12]. The request for an investigation into Smith has put pressure on GOP leaders[13]. Cotton alleged that Smith's actions were not standard, necessary, or justified, unless Smith's real purpose was to influence the election[13].
As of now, Smith has not publicly responded to these allegations. Fox News Digital reached out to Smith but did not immediately hear back[6]. The outcome of the OSC's investigation remains to be seen.
References: 1. CNN 2. The New York Times 3. The Washington Post 4. The Hill 5. Politico 6. Fox News Digital 7. The Daily Beast 8. The Associated Press 9. NBC News 10. CNN 11. The New York Times 12. The Washington Post 13. The Hill
The ongoing Office of Special Counsel (OSC) investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith scrutinizes his actions for potential Hatch Act violations, particularly in the context of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as his prosecutorial actions might have unlawfully interfered in the political process. Senator Cotton, chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee, has accused Smith of fast-tracking trial dates and using aggressive legal theories in his pursuit of the Republican nominee for president, asserting that these actions may have been beyond standard and necessary, only justifiable if Smith's true aim was to influence elections.
