Special Counsel Jack Smith Plans to Resign Before Trump Takes Office
Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, plans to step down from the Justice Department before Trump officially becomes president, according to CBS News, as reported by BBC. This move would allow Smith to leave his job voluntarily, avoiding the possibility of being fired by Trump or his new attorney general.
BBC explains that Smith’s cases against Trump—one about alleged mishandling of classified documents and another about alleged interference in the 2020 election—are unlikely to go to trial. His team is wrapping up its work, as Trump’s victory in the election has made pursuing these cases nearly impossible.
The Justice Department has a rule that sitting presidents cannot face criminal charges, so the election interference case will be on hold once Trump takes office. As for the classified documents case, a judge appointed by Trump had already dismissed it in July, though the decision is being appealed.
BBC highlights that special counsels usually release a report at the end of their investigations, detailing their findings and decisions. It’s unclear if Smith will submit such a report before stepping down or if it will be made public before Trump’s term begins.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and claims the cases are politically motivated. BBC notes that Trump’s legal team has successfully argued for presidential immunity in some matters, which forced Smith to adjust his approach but also allowed him to present more evidence in court.
Smith’s planned resignation would mark another legal victory for Trump, who faced four criminal indictments in 2023. Only one case, in New York, resulted in a conviction over hush money payments, but even that is now being challenged on grounds of presidential immunity.
As BBC reports, Trump’s return to power has significantly impacted these legal battles, signaling his growing control over the justice system and his ability to reshape his legal challenges.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnvj2gqn0zno