
Special Counsel Jack Smith has officially resigned from the Department of Justice following the completion of his investigation into President-elect Donald Trump. The news was revealed in a court filing submitted on Saturday, where Smith’s departure was confirmed as of January 10, 2025, just days after submitting his final report on January 7.
Smith’s resignation comes amidst ongoing legal disputes over whether portions of his investigative report can be released publicly. Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, previously issued an order temporarily blocking the release of the report following requests from Trump’s co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who argued that its publication could unfairly prejudice ongoing cases.
The Justice Department has filed an emergency motion to lift the injunction, asserting that Attorney General Merrick Garland has the authority to release the report. Prosecutors, however, have agreed to withhold the section related to the classified documents investigation, which includes the cases against Nauta and De Oliveira, until all related proceedings conclude. Meanwhile, they intend to proceed with releasing the section detailing the election interference investigation.
Smith was appointed by Garland in late 2022 to oversee two major investigations into Trump. One focused on efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, while the other centered on the retention of classified documents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Both cases ultimately faced legal setbacks and were dropped following Trump’s 2024 election victory, as longstanding Justice Department rules prohibit prosecuting a sitting president.
The classified documents case encountered challenges early on when Judge Cannon dismissed the charges against Trump in 2024, citing procedural issues with Smith’s appointment as special counsel. Although Smith appealed the dismissal, the case was closed after Trump’s election win. Prosecutors are, however, continuing efforts to revive charges against Nauta and De Oliveira for obstruction.
The election interference case also faced delays as Trump’s legal team sought to claim presidential immunity for actions taken while in office. The U.S. Supreme Court sided largely with Trump, ruling that a president cannot be prosecuted for official acts, effectively stalling the case before trial.
Smith, a veteran prosecutor with experience handling war crimes cases, had a reputation for taking on high-stakes investigations. His tenure as special counsel was marked by the challenges of navigating politically sensitive cases and legal hurdles. Despite these challenges, Smith’s office emphasized the merits of the investigations in court filings, maintaining that the evidence supported their initial charges.
Trump, who consistently denied wrongdoing, has used the cases to galvanize his political base, portraying the investigations as politically motivated. His legal battles have also served as a fundraising tool, helping to bolster his campaign narrative of being targeted by political adversaries.
As legal wrangling over the release of Smith’s report continues, the Justice Department remains steadfast in its position to ensure transparency. Garland has committed to releasing all special counsel reports under his tenure, reinforcing the importance of public accountability in matters of national interest.
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