The special counsel leading federal investigations against Donald Trump has stepped down after concluding his work at the Justice Department.
Investigations Conclude Before Power Transition
Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing two federal cases against Donald Trump, has officially ended his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice. According to court filings, Smith completed his investigations, submitted his confidential final report, and resigned from his position.
Appointed to investigate Trump, Smith focused on two high-profile cases: alleged election fraud in Washington, D.C., and the improper handling of classified documents in Florida. However, following Trump’s victory in the presidential election, the Justice Department dropped both cases. Smith requested the dismissal of the election fraud case and withdrew an appeal related to the document investigation.
Smith cited the Justice Department’s longstanding policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents as the reason for halting the cases. Trump will return to the White House on January 20, succeeding Joe Biden as president.
A Preemptive Move by the Justice Department
Smith’s decision to end the investigations was seen as strategic. As federal cases fall under executive authority, President-elect Trump could have ordered the Justice Department to terminate the investigations after taking office. By resolving the cases beforehand, Smith preempted such an outcome. It remains uncertain whether these cases could be reopened after Trump’s presidency.
Smith’s resignation was widely expected, but questions remain about the potential release of his final report. During the election campaign, Trump frequently attacked Smith with inflammatory rhetoric and hinted at possible legal actions against his political opponents.
Legal and Political Implications
The conclusion of these investigations and Smith’s resignation mark a significant moment in Trump’s ongoing legal battles. As Trump prepares to assume office again, the decisions reflect both political calculations and the enduring challenges of addressing high-stakes legal cases involving a sitting president.
