Trump’s lead prosecutor resigns, exits U.S
Jack Smith, the special counsel who spearheaded the prosecution against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has officially resigned and left the country just days before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Court documents submitted to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon revealed that Smith completed his work and filed a final confidential report on January 7. His departure from the U.S. Department of Justice was confirmed on January 10.
Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, was appointed in November 2022 to lead the Justice Department’s investigations into two high-profile cases involving Trump. These included allegations of mishandling classified documents after leaving office and attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Trump lost.
However, following Trump’s victory in the November 5 presidential election, Smith dismissed the cases. He cited a Justice Department rule barring prosecution of sitting presidents as the basis for this decision.
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In seeking court approval to drop the charges, Smith’s legal team acknowledged the strength of the cases but emphasised their inability to proceed given Trump’s imminent return to power.
This decision effectively ends legal challenges against Trump, clearing the path for him to assume office without facing prosecution.
Trump, who had previously vowed to dismiss Smith upon resuming office, now avoids the legal repercussions that once loomed over his political future.
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