Republicans in Congress are calling on the Justice Department to launch an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who led two criminal prosecutions against President Trump. The push reflects the party's effort to scrutinize prosecutors involved in cases against Trump following his 2024 election victory.
Smith prosecuted Trump on charges related to classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Both cases stalled during Trump's campaign and have since been effectively abandoned. Trump has repeatedly attacked Smith on social media, describing him as "deranged" and blaming him for politically motivated prosecutions.
Republican lawmakers argue that Smith's investigations were partisan and warrant examination by the Justice Department's inspector general or congressional committees. They contend his office pursued cases lacking legal merit and operated with bias against Trump. GOP representatives have requested documentation of Smith's decisions and communications related to the investigations.
Smith, appointed as special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022, resigned from his position in November 2024, shortly after Trump's election victory. He cited the constitutional requirement that a sitting president cannot be indicted as the reason for his departure.
The Justice Department has not indicated plans to investigate Smith. Garland stated that Smith carried out his duties professionally and within his legal authority. Democrats have defended Smith's prosecutions as legitimate responses to documented conduct by Trump.
The Republican push to investigate Smith is part of a broader effort to reexamine prosecutions of Trump-affiliated figures. It reflects the party's control of Congress following the 2024 elections and signals potential conflicts ahead over the Justice Department's independence and the handling of Trump-related investigations.