Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns After Completing Investigations Into Trump
Special Counsel Jack Smith has officially resigned from the Department of Justice (DOJ) following the conclusion of his two high-profile criminal investigations into President-elect Donald Trump. This development was disclosed in a court filing submitted on Saturday to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee.
Smith Completes Work Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration
According to the court filing, Smith submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, and formally departed from the DOJ on January 10. The filing forms part of an ongoing legal dispute in which the DOJ is urging Judge Cannon not to extend her temporary order blocking the release of Smith’s investigation into alleged interference in the 2020 election.
In November 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to lead two DOJ investigations into Trump. One focused on Trump’s actions after the 2020 presidential election, while the other examined his handling of classified documents after leaving office. Both cases resulted in criminal charges, which were ultimately dismissed following Trump’s 2024 election victory, in accordance with DOJ policies prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.
DOJ Pushes for Report Release Amid Legal Disputes
The DOJ seeks to release Smith’s two-volume report, which details the findings and prosecutorial decisions from his investigations. Attorneys representing Trump’s former associates, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, have petitioned the court to extend the prohibition on releasing portions of the report, arguing that publication could prejudice ongoing legal matters.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied similar requests from Trump’s codefendants. However, Judge Cannon’s temporary order continues to delay the report’s release. The DOJ has assured the court that the portion of the report related to the classified documents investigation will remain confidential until that case concludes.
Trump Fights Back Against Report Release
Trump’s legal team has actively opposed the report’s release, with attorneys submitting letters to Attorney General Garland urging him to block its publication. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the investigations, which focused on allegations of election interference and mishandling classified materials.
In one key instance, Judge Cannon dismissed charges brought by Smith, ruling his appointment as special counsel unconstitutional. This decision, along with ongoing legal battles, underscores the friction between Trump’s legal team and the DOJ.
Next Steps for DOJ and Congress
While the DOJ continues to advocate for transparency, Garland has stated that the classified documents portion of Smith’s report will initially be shared with select members of Congress. The section detailing the 2020 election probe remains central to the ongoing legal challenges.
Smith’s resignation comes as he concludes his work ahead of Trump’s inauguration. The responsibility for the report’s release now falls to Garland, who must balance legal considerations with political sensitivities surrounding the case.
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