U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who spearheaded federal prosecutions against Donald Trump, has resigned from the Department of Justice as the Republican president-elect prepares to return to the White House.
Smith submitted his resignation on Friday, according to a court filing made public on Saturday to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. The filing requested the judge to lift a court order blocking the release of his final report.
The notice of Smith’s resignation was subtly included in a footnote of the filing, stating that the Special Counsel had completed his work, submitted his confidential final report on January 7, and “separated” from the Justice Department on January 10.
A seasoned war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought two of the four criminal cases Trump faced after leaving office. However, both cases stalled when a Trump-appointed judge in Florida dismissed one, and the U.S. Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Trump, ruled that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. Neither case proceeded to trial.
Following Trump’s victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, Smith dropped both cases, citing a longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. In motions to dismiss the charges, Smith’s team defended the merits of their cases but acknowledged that Trump’s impending return to the White House made them untenable.
Smith’s departure marks another turning point in the unraveling of criminal cases against Trump, which may conclude without legal repercussions for the incoming president. The prosecutions sparked a backlash that many believe contributed to Trump’s political resurgence.
Smith’s resignation was anticipated. Trump, who has frequently labeled Smith as “deranged,” had indicated he would dismiss him immediately upon taking office on January 20. The president-elect has also suggested potential retribution against Smith and others who investigated him once he assumes office.
In 2023, Trump became the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. The initial charges were filed in New York, accusing him of attempting to conceal a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign. Smith later charged Trump with illegally retaining classified material after leaving office and attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss—actions that culminated in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors in Georgia also charged Trump over efforts to overturn his election defeat in that state.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
