Only three days after President Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith as the special counsel to handle two criminal investigations linked to Trump.
One investigation by the Justice Department revolves around the alleged mishandling of classified documents by Trump, while the other examines his actions regarding the 2020 election results.
Despite Trump’s quick assertion that Smith is a “completely compromised political hitman,” there’s a growing skepticism among critics about Trump’s instincts on this matter.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey remarked that Trump’s “Witch Hunt Indictment” was crafted not to achieve a legitimate conviction but to inhibit Trump’s campaign efforts against Joe Biden.
As events unfolded, Trump faced a score of indictments, yet neither case resulted in significant repercussions. The classified documents case faced a setback in July 2024 due to Smith’s controversial appointment, and the January 6th investigation was closed in November following Trump’s reelection.
Though the political atmosphere has cooled somewhat, Smith appears to still be preparing to advance charges.
The Office of U.S. Special Advisor recently confirmed an investigation into whether Smith breached the Hatch Act, which forbids government officials from using their authority to influence election outcomes.
This inquiry was initiated after Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton accused Smith of attempting to disrupt the 2024 presidential election.
“Smith’s actions seem to serve the political interests of Biden and Harris,” Cotton stated. He emphasized that Smith’s maneuvers could compromise the legality of the election atmosphere.
In a letter to the Special Counsel’s Office, Cotton cited examples of Smith’s attempts to time his trial proceedings in a way that could influence the election, arguing that the timing was particularly questionable as it aligned with the Iowa Caucus.
Another point raised by Cotton involved a lengthy legal filing from Smith that he claimed exceeded normal limits without legitimate justification. He described Smith’s approach as “a deliberate effort to influence the election.”
Cotton underscored that even Trump’s victory over Biden doesn’t absolve Smith of accountability for possible illegal election interference.
The Office of Special Counsel is expected to refer findings to the Department of Justice, which has already scrutinized Smith’s actions as part of a broader inquiry into political bias among various officials.
In related expenses, Smith’s investigations reportedly incurred over $47 million, yet many efforts failed to result in trial-worthy cases. Smith himself resigned just ten days before taking office.
