Ex-Trump Prosecutor Under Investigation! Hatch Act Violation?
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Jack Smith Faces Investigation: Did Politics Influence His Actions?
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw two high-profile criminal investigations into President Donald Trump, is now under investigation himself. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has launched a formal probe into Smith's conduct, marking the first official legal scrutiny of his actions.
The investigation stems from allegations that Smith may have violated the Hatch Act, a law that restricts government employees from engaging in political activities. The Hatch Act Unit within the OSC is reviewing Smith's actions while he served as Special Counsel for the Department of Justice.
According to an email reviewed by The Post, Senior Counsel Charles Baldis at OSC confirmed the investigation. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been a vocal critic of Smith, alleging that his actions were politically motivated and intended to undermine President Trump's 2024 campaign.
"I appreciate the Office of Special Counsel taking this seriously and launching an investigation into Jack Smith’s conduct. No one is above the law," Cotton stated. He further asserted that Smith's actions were "clearly driven to hurt President Trump’s election, and Smith should be held fully accountable."
Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, resigned from his Special Counsel post in January after Trump assumed power. The investigations he led involved Trump's handling of classified documents and his actions on January 6th, 2021. Both cases were eventually dismissed.
Senator Cotton's Allegations
Senator Cotton's letter to the OSC prompted the investigation. He claims Smith took "blatantly political action" to harm President Trump's re-election bid. Cotton further stated, "Jack Smith’s legal actions were nothing more than a tool for the Biden and Harris campaigns. This isn’t just unethical, it is very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office."
The investigation will examine whether Smith's actions crossed the line into prohibited political activity while serving in his official capacity. The outcome could have significant implications for Smith and potentially raise questions about the impartiality of the investigations he led.