Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns from the Justice Department
The Facts
Special Counsel Jack Smith formally resigned from the US Justice Department on Friday ahead of Pres.-elect Trump's inauguration, after submitting his final confidential report on Jan. 7.
A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith brought two of the four criminal cases faced by Trump — one regarding classified documents and another concerning alleged interference in the 2020 election.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Smith's investigations were necessary to uphold the rule of law and accountability. They produced substantial evidence of wrongdoing that deserves public disclosure before Trump takes office. The failure to bring cases to trial resulted from procedural obstacles, rather than a lack of merit.
Republican narrative
The investigations were politically motivated witch hunts that cost taxpayers millions of dollars and ultimately failed to produce any meaningful results. Smith overreached in his prosecutorial approach and mishandled straightforward cases by adding unnecessary complications.
