Washington: Jack Smith, U.S. Special Counsel leading federal cases against Donald Trump, has resigned, signaling the conclusion of his investigations into the former president’s alleged misconduct.
Smith, known for prosecuting war crimes and high-profile corruption cases, resigned from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on January 10 after submitting his final confidential report on January 7. His departure was disclosed in a court filing addressed to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, requesting the lifting of an order blocking the release of his report.
Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who led federal cases against Donald Trump, quit the Justice Department https://t.co/uWZaZJB4UA pic.twitter.com/f08Nsi36xb
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 12, 2025
Smith brought two historic federal cases against Trump: one alleging Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election and another involving mishandling of classified documents. However, both cases faltered due to legal challenges. Judge Cannon dismissed the classified documents case, citing improper appointment of the Special Counsel, while the Supreme Court ruled Trump had immunity for many official acts as president.
Cases Dropped Following Trump’s Election Victory
Smith’s resignation follows Trump’s November 2024 electoral victory over Kamala Harris, which prompted Smith to drop the cases against Trump, citing DOJ rules against prosecuting sitting presidents. Although Smith defended the merits of the cases, he acknowledged that Trump’s return to the White House rendered them untenable.
The DOJ’s pursuit of Trump marked the first federal indictments against a former U.S. president. Trump was accused of using false claims of voter fraud to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election and retaining sensitive national security documents at his Florida estate.
Political Fallout and Legal Challenges
Trump, who consistently denied wrongdoing, labeled the prosecutions as politically motivated. His courthouse appearances became a rallying point for supporters and a fundraising tool. Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that career prosecutors, not political appointees, led the investigations.
Smith faced criticism from Trump, who referred to him as “deranged” and pledged to dismiss him upon taking office. Trump’s allies also hinted at potential legal retribution against Smith and other investigators.
Smith’s Legacy as Special Counsel
Appointed by Garland in November 2022, Smith returned from The Hague, where he prosecuted war crimes from the Kosovo War. He previously led the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section and earned a reputation as a relentless investigator.
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Despite his efforts, the indictments failed to advance due to legal setbacks. Smith’s resignation reflects the broader collapse of legal cases against Trump, now shielded from prosecution as president.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Trump remains entangled in legal challenges. In New York, he was convicted of falsifying business records related to hush money payments during his 2016 campaign. However, sentencing has been indefinitely delayed.
In Georgia, charges against Trump and 14 allies for alleged election interference face delays amid questions about the lead prosecutor’s conduct.
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Smith’s resignation closes a chapter in Trump’s legal saga, leaving unresolved questions about accountability in the face of unprecedented allegations.
