The Department of Justice released the first volume of former special counsel Jack Smith's final report on the investigation into President-elect Donald Trump, just days before the investigation into the president-elect. I am taking an oath Inaugurated as the 47th president. The report, which focuses on the election lawsuit against Trump, was released by Attorney General Merrick Garland late Tuesday night. According to reports fox newsSmith said in the report that the Justice Department was steadfast in its decision to prosecute Trump, who “resorted to a series of criminal acts to maintain power” after his loss in the 2020 election. insisted.
Smith concluded that the parties are determining “whether the contents of the superseding indictment qualify for presidential immunity” should Trump win the 2024 election. The Justice Department ultimately settled the case by dismissing the case before he took office, citing its interpretation of the Constitution.
“The Department's position that the Constitution prohibits continued indictment and prosecution of the President is categorical and disregards the seriousness of the crimes charged, the strength of the government's evidence, and the merits of the prosecution. “The Department fully supports this,'' the report states.
In response to the report on Tuesday morning, President Trump called Smith “deranged” and “desperate” for releasing “false findings.” post In real social.
Smith, who resigned last week, sent a letter to Garland saying it was “ridiculous” that Trump believed in his own decisions as prosecutor. influenced by the Biden administration or other political actors.
“Mr. Trump's case represented a case in which criminal conduct was committed.” [was] It is the most flagrant, the harm to the public is greatest, and the evidence is most certain,” Smith said, referring to the principles.
Garland originally appointed Smith as special counsel in November 2022 to lead an investigation into whether Trump kept classified information and obstructed federal investigations after he left the White House. into the problem.
In addition, Mr. Smith oversaw an investigation into whether Mr. Trump and other officials interfered with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021.
However, Trump has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
In July 2024, Judge Eileen of the Southern District of Florida dismissed the confidential records lawsuit, ruling that Smith was illegally appointed as special prosecutor. Meanwhile, Judge Tanya Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted President Trump's request to dismiss the 2020 election lawsuit.
clock: Justice Department Bulletin releases Jack Smith's report ahead of Trump's inauguration
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Michael M. Santiago/Staff
First publication date is January 14, 2025.
