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U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns as Trump Prepares to Return to White House
Special Counsel Jack Smith resigns after leading criminal cases against Trump, marking a pivotal moment as Trump prepares for a return to the White House.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-13
U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns as Trump Prepares to Return to White House

Jack Smith, the U.S. Special Counsel who oversaw federal investigations into former President Donald Trump, resigned from his position on Friday. The resignation came just days after submitting his final confidential report on January 7, signaling a major shift in the legal landscape as Trump prepares to return to the White House.

Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, was appointed in November 2022 to investigate two of the most significant criminal cases against Trump: the mishandling of classified documents and his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. However, both cases have faced significant legal obstacles, and Trump's impending return to power made it clear that these investigations could no longer continue.

In a court filing on Saturday, Smith's resignation was officially noted, with a request for U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to lift a court order blocking the release of his final report. The report, which was submitted earlier this month, marks the completion of Smith’s tenure as Special Counsel.

Trump's legal battles had already reached a boiling point in 2023, with charges ranging from the mishandling of sensitive national security documents to inciting the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Despite the weight of the charges, the cases faced insurmountable legal challenges, including a dismissal by a Trump-appointed judge in Florida and a Supreme Court ruling favoring Trump’s immunity as a former president for official acts.

While Smith’s efforts were met with frustration from his team, it was clear that Trump’s election win in 2024 would mark the likely end of any legal consequences. The Justice Department had defended the cases, insisting they were free from political influence, but Trump, who had long derided Smith, welcomed his resignation.

Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to mock Smith, claiming he had "accomplished nothing" and accusing him of ruining many lives. Smith’s resignation serves as a milestone in the legal battles against Trump, reflecting the broader collapse of these criminal cases, which many view as an effort to sideline Trump’s political comeback.

Smith, who gained renown for his role in prosecuting war crimes in Kosovo, had a reputation for being a tenacious investigator. He had led the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section before moving to The Hague to prosecute war crimes. His decision to resign is seen as a conclusion to the legal challenges against Trump for the time being.

Trump, having secured his victory in the 2024 presidential election, had already made it clear he would seek to dismiss Smith if he returned to the White House. He had even suggested pursuing retribution against Smith and others involved in his investigations.

Smith’s departure marks the end of the federal investigations into Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 election and the handling of classified materials, which were the first federal cases ever brought against a former U.S. president. Trump remains steadfast in his denial of wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated and using them to rally his supporters.

The investigation into the Georgia election interference case, which includes charges against Trump and 14 allies, remains ongoing. However, the case is currently stalled due to legal challenges surrounding the disqualification of the lead prosecutor.

With Smith’s resignation, the focus now shifts to Trump’s forthcoming presidency and the potential implications for ongoing investigations. The collapse of the criminal cases against Trump has sparked significant debate, particularly as he returns to the White House.

 
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