The United States Department of Justice is removing Special Counsel Jack Smith and ending two pending federal investigations into President-Elect Donald Trump following his electoral victory on Tuesday night. Smith, who will reportedly step down from his position by the time of Trump’s inauguration in January, has spent nearly four years overseeing efforts to prosecute Trump for the January 6 Capitol riot, as well as for alleged mishandling of classified documents.
First reported by Fox News shortly after the election was called for Trump, the DOJ is terminating Smith’s investigations based on its longstanding policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.
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Smith’s first case against Trump centered on the once-and-future president’s handling of classified materials from his first term, which the DOJ alleged were being stored improperly at his Mar-a-Lago residence. This investigation culminated in a federal law enforcement raid on Trump’s property in August 2022. However, Florida Judge Eileen Cannon dismissed the case earlier this year, ruling that Smith could not legally prosecute Trump because he was not officially confirmed by the US Senate.
Smith had since appealed the ruling and attempted to refile the case.
The second case, involving Trump’s attempts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. This investigation, which led to a federal indictment against Trump, was complicated by a Supreme Court ruling granting “presumptive” immunity to presidents for actions that fall within their constitutional authority.
Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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