In a surprising twist, U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has stepped down from the Justice Department as former President Donald Trump gears up for his return to the White House. 🏛️
Smith, who led the federal investigations into Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling of classified documents, resigned on Friday. The news surfaced in a court filing to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on Saturday, requesting the lifting of a court order blocking the release of his final report.
The filing subtly mentioned Smith's departure in a footnote, noting that the Special Counsel had completed his work and submitted his confidential report on January 7. By January 10, he had officially \"separated\" from the Department of Justice.
Known for his role as a former war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought forward two of the four criminal cases against Trump post-presidency. However, these cases hit roadblocks when a Trump-appointed judge in Florida dismissed one, and the U.S. Supreme Court, with three justices appointed by Trump himself, 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 opted to drop both cases. He cited a longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. In motions to dismiss the charges, Smith's team maintained the legitimacy of their cases but acknowledged that Trump's imminent return to the Oval Office made them untenable.
Smith's resignation marks another chapter in the unraveling of legal challenges against Trump. These developments could potentially leave the incoming president without any legal repercussions and have fueled his political resurgence. 🚀
Anticipation of Smith's exit was high. Trump, who has often dubbed Smith as \"deranged,\" had expressed intentions to dismiss him immediately upon taking office on January 20. The former president has also hinted at possible retribution against Smith and others involved in the investigations once he resumes his role.
Back in 2023, Trump made history as the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal charges. The initial indictment in New York accused him of concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign. Smith's subsequent charges alleged that Trump illegally kept classified documents after leaving office and attempted to overturn his 2020 election loss—a campaign that culminated in the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. Additionally, prosecutors in Georgia charged Trump over efforts to reverse his defeat in that state.
As the political landscape shifts once again, all eyes are on Trump's next moves and what this means for the future of American politics. 🧐🇺🇸
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
