House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik is calling for an ethics investigation into special counsel Jack Smith for interfering in the 2024 presidential election.
Stefanik (R-N.Y.) sent a letter to the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility on Tuesday demanding that it reconsider Smith’s response to the election subversion scandal surrounding former President Donald Trump.
“It is clear to any reasonable observer that Jack Smith is attempting to interfere in the 2024 election and prevent the American people from electing Donald Trump,” Stefanik said in a statement. Ta.
Stefanik, who is widely seen as President Trump’s running mate, has accused Smith of unfairly trying to hasten the trial and filing court documents while the 2020 election-subversion case was pending. He criticized and complained endlessly.
Last December, Smith’s team petitioned the Supreme Court to quickly consider Trump’s presidential immunity appeal, bypassing the appeals courts.
At the time, Smith argued that “the public interest in the prompt resolution of this case supports an immediate and final decision by the High Court.”
Ultimately, the Supreme Court rejected Mr. Smith’s bid, and the trial start date, originally scheduled for March 4, was postponed indefinitely. Mr. Smith’s efforts appear to be rooted in concerns that Mr. Trump could override the election, force a trial, win the presidency, and force the Justice Department to drop the charges.
“This unusual petition attempts to circumvent the normal appeals process,” Stefanik stressed. “The only way to reconcile Jack Smith’s filing is that his stated purpose is not to seek justice and a neutral application of the law, but rather to get a Trump presidency, and by November It’s about recognizing what it was like to get him.”
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the issue last Thursday but has not yet issued a ruling on the issue.
Stefanik emphasized the following points: Ministry of Justice Manual Provisions It stipulates that prosecutors “must never choose the timing of any action.” . . For the purpose of influencing elections or favoring or disadvantageing candidates or political parties. ”
Stefanik also named him “Biden Special Counsel Jack Smith,” saying that Smith’s office was involved in the 2020 election surveillance case after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan put the proceedings on hold amid an immunity appeal. He echoed complaints from Trump’s legal team about the circumstances surrounding the court filing.
“Jack Smith repeatedly violated the district court’s orders. First, Jack Smith filed nearly 4,000 pages of discovery regarding President Trump.9 Then, after the Supreme Court denied his request for pre-sentence certification. “Jack Smith filed a time-barred motion in district court,” Stefanik explained.
Earlier this year, Mr. Chutkan rejected a proposal to hold Mr. Smith in contempt of court for making the complaint while suspended.
The newspaper has contacted a spokesperson for the special counsel’s office for comment.
Mr. Smith is tasked with overseeing the Justice Department’s four indictments against Mr. Trump over the 2020 presidential election and 40 charges related to the Mar-a-Lago documents trial.
President Trump faces a total of 88 criminal charges, including four indictments, but has maintained his innocence on all charges and completely denies any wrongdoing.
Stefanik and Smith were both named to Time magazine’s list. 100 most influential people Towards 2024.
Stefanik was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, but has repeatedly publicly disparaged Smith’s prosecution of the 45th president.
