In a significant development, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Department of Justice (DOJ) as former President Donald Trump gears up to reclaim the White House. Smith, who oversaw the federal cases against Trump related to the 2020 election's aftermath and the mishandling of classified documents, filed his resignation on Friday.
The resignation was officially noted in a court filing submitted to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, requesting the lifting of a court order that blocked the release of Smith's final report. According to the filing, Smith completed his work and submitted his confidential report on January 7, subsequently separating from the DOJ on January 10.
Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, had taken on two of the four criminal cases against Trump. However, these cases faced setbacks after a Trump-appointed judge in Florida dismissed one, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former presidents enjoy broad immunity for official acts, a decision influenced by three justices appointed by Trump. As a result, neither case proceeded to trial.
Following Trump’s defeat of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, Smith decided to drop both cases, citing a long-standing DOJ rule against prosecuting sitting presidents. While Smith’s team defended the merits of the cases, they indicated that Trump’s imminent return to the presidency rendered continuation untenable.
The resignation marks a pivotal point in the faltering of the criminal cases against Trump, potentially allowing him to enter office without facing legal repercussions from these specific charges. This development has elicited a mixed response, with some viewing it as a setback for legal accountability and others seeing it as a reflection of political maneuvering.
Smith's departure was anticipated, especially after Trump publicly criticized him, labeling Smith as \"deranged\" and threatening to dismiss him upon resuming office on January 20. Trump has also hinted at possible retribution against Smith and others involved in the investigations once he is back in office.
Trump's legal battles in 2023 were unprecedented, making him the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. The charges originated in New York, where he was accused of covering up a hush money payment during his 2016 campaign, and later expanded to include allegations of illegally retaining classified materials and attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss, actions that were linked to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Additionally, prosecutors in Georgia have charged Trump for his efforts to reverse his election defeat in that state.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
