The Office of Special Counsel is reportedly investigating Jack Smith over potential election law violations
The New York Post reports that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel has initiated a formal investigation into the Justice Department prosecutor who oversaw two federal criminal cases involving Donald Trump.
During Joe Biden’s administration, former Special Counsel Jack Smith conducted criminal investigations concerning Trump’s management of classified documents and accusations of trying to reverse the 2020 election results.
Both of these cases resulted in criminal charges against Trump, who entered a not-guilty plea, but were terminated following his November election win, in accordance with Justice Department rules that prevent the prosecution of an incumbent president.
This investigation reportedly began after a letter was sent last week by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), requesting acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer to look into whether Smith “unlawfully took political actions to influence the 2024 election to harm then-candidate President Donald Trump.”
“Jack Smith’s legal actions were merely a tool for the Biden and Kamala Harris campaigns. This is not only unethical but very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office,” Cotton stated in his letter, as quoted by the New York Post.
Senator Cotton charged Smith with engaging in overtly political actions designed to interfere with Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, such as expediting his investigations to secure trial dates that would align with significant political events, like the Iowa caucuses.
According to the Washington Post, the independent agency tasked with overseeing partisan influence within the federal workforce has confirmed its investigation into Smith for possible breaches of the Hatch Act, which prohibits most federal employees from utilizing their official roles to meddle in elections or participate in overt political activities.
Smith, who was appointed in 2022 to supervise the Justice Department’s investigations into Trump, resigned prior to the president’s inauguration.