Following the Justice Department's release of former Special Counsel Jack Smith's report, former President Trump responded critically. The report, focusing on the election interference case, was released at midnight Tuesday, prompting Trump to question the timing and validity of the findings on Truth Social. He asserted that the report relied on information from the House Jan. 6 committee and accused Smith of acting on President Biden's orders to prosecute political rivals.
The report's release followed legal back-and-forth. Trump reiterated his claim that Smith, who recently resigned, was politically motivated. However, in a prior letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Smith refuted these accusations, emphasizing his adherence to the Principles of Federal Prosecution. Smith defended the charges against Trump, stating that the former president engaged in "criminal efforts to retain power" after losing the 2020 election.
A split image featuring US Attorney General Merrick Garland, President Donald Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images | Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The report details how the case against Trump was ultimately dismissed. It explains that while assessing presidential immunity related to the superseding indictment, Trump's 2024 election victory became evident. The Department of Justice, based on its interpretation of the Constitution, concluded that prosecuting a sitting president was prohibited, regardless of the charges' severity or the evidence's strength.
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith recently requested to dismiss charges he brought against Trump in a case alleging his interference in the certification of the 2020 election. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in November 2022. Smith's investigation covered Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving office and potential obstruction of the federal investigation. He also oversaw the inquiry into interference with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election, including the Jan. 6 events. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in both cases.
Former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida was searched by the FBI in 2022. (Getty Images)
The classified records case was dismissed in July 2024 by Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled Smith's appointment unlawful. The 2020 election case, overseen by Judge Tanya Chutkan, was dismissed after Trump's election victory and Smith's subsequent motion.
