Watchdog agency investigating ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith for alleged illegal political activity
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — An independent watchdog agency responsible for enforcing a law against partisan political activity by federal employees has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the Justice Department special counsel who brought two criminal cases against then-candidate Donald Trump before his election to the White House last year.
The Office of Special Counsel confirmed Saturday that it was investigating Smith on allegations he engaged in political activity through his inquiries into Trump. Smith was named special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 and his special counsel title is entirely distinct from the agency now investigating him. The office has no criminal enforcement power but does have the authority to impose fines and other sanctions for violations.
It was not clear what basis exists to contend that Smith's investigations were political in nature or that he violated the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, had earlier this week encouraged the office to scrutinize Smith's activities and had alleged that his conduct was designed to help then-President Joe Biden and his vice president Kamala Harris, both Democrats.
Smith brought two cases against Trump, one accusing him of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the other of hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Both were brought in 2023, well over a year before the 2024 presidential election, and indictments in the two cases cited what Smith and his team described as clear violations of well-established federal law. Garland has repeatedly said politics played no part in the handling of the cases.
Both cases were abandoned by Smith after Trump's November win, with the prosecutor citing longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the indictment of a sitting president.
There was no immediate indication that the same office investigating Smith had opened investigations into the Justice Department special counsels who were appointed by Garland to investigate Biden and his son Hunter.
The White House had no immediate comment on the investigation into Smith, which was first reported by The New York Post.
The office has been riven by leadership tumult over the last year. An earlier chief, Hampton Dellinger, was abruptly fired by the Trump administration and initially sued to get his job back before abandoning the court fight. Trump's trade representative, Jamieson Greer, is also serving as acting special counsel.
Trump selected as his replacement Paul Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcast host who has praised criminally charged influencer Andrew Tate as a 'extraordinary human being' and promoted the false claim that the 2020 election was rigged. A Senate panel was set to consider his nomination at a hearing last month, but it was pulled from the agenda.
By Darlene Superville And Eric Tucker, The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Canada News.Net
4 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Trump slaps tariffs on key allies as global trade talks intensify
WASHINGTON, D.C.: With the clock ticking toward a self-imposed trade deal deadline, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced steep tariffs on dozens of countries, escalating his efforts to reshape the global trade landscape. Through an executive order issued this week, Trump imposed new import duties ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent on goods from 69 trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, India, Taiwan, and Switzerland. The tariffs will take effect in seven days, just ahead of the August 1 deadline. The measures include a 35 percent tariff on many Canadian goods, 50 percent for Brazil, 25 percent for India, and 20 percent for Taiwan. An exception has been granted for shipments already in transit. Goods from countries not listed will face a blanket 10 percent U.S. import tax, potentially more in the future, Trump indicated. "Some trading partners, despite having engaged in negotiations, have offered terms that, in my judgment, do not sufficiently address imbalances," the executive order stated, adding some also failed to align with U.S. economic and national-security priorities. Markets reacted with relative calm, a contrast to the selloff that followed Trump's earlier tariff threats in April. Still, stocks and equity futures edged lower in Asian trading. The administration says additional trade deals are in the works as part of a broader strategy to close trade deficits and support U.S. manufacturing. Canada was hit particularly hard. Trump raised tariffs on Canadian goods tied to fentanyl-related enforcement to 35 percent, up from 25 percent, claiming Ottawa had "failed to cooperate" on narcotics enforcement. "Canada has been very poorly led," Trump told reporters. Canada's government has not yet responded, but it previously contested the basis for such tariffs. Mexico, meanwhile, received a reprieve. Trump granted a 90-day delay on new 30 percent tariffs for most Mexican non-automotive and non-metal goods covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), following a call with President Claudia Sheinbaum. "We avoided the tariff increase announced for tomorrow," Sheinbaum posted on X, calling the call with Trump "very good." However, U.S. tariffs on Mexican steel, aluminum, copper, and non-USMCA-compliant autos remain in place. India now faces a 25 percent tariff following stalled negotiations over agricultural market access. Trump also raised concerns about India's purchases of Russian oil. Talks are ongoing, but New Delhi has pledged to protect its farm sector. The news triggered backlash from India's opposition and a drop in the rupee. Brazil was hit with a 50 percent tariff amid tensions over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. Still, specific sectors such as energy, aircraft, and orange juice were spared. Commerce Department data showed that tariffs may already be driving up prices: home furnishings rose 1.3 percent in June, recreational goods 0.9 percent, and clothing and footwear 0.4 percent. Meanwhile, Trump's legal justification, using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, faced tough questioning in federal court. Judges appeared skeptical that trade deficits and fentanyl enforcement constitute emergencies under the law. Following preliminary progress in earlier talks, China now has until August 12 to finalize a broader tariff agreement with Washington.
Canada News.Net
4 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Trump announces massive ballroom addition to White House
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the White House to get a significant new addition: a US$200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, its first structural expansion in more than seven decades. Construction will begin in September, Mr Trump's administration announced this week. The ballroom, which will seat 650 guests, will be located where the East Wing currently sits. While offices housed there, including the first lady's, will be temporarily relocated, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Nothing will be torn down." The East Wing will also be modernized and renovated during the build. Trump, who has long floated the idea of a White House ballroom, said the lack of space for large events has forced previous administrations to host state dinners under tents. "They've wanted a ballroom at the White House for more than 150 years but there's never been a president that was good at ballrooms," Trump told reporters. "I'm good at building things and we're going to build quickly and on time. It'll be beautiful, top, top of the line." He emphasized that the new structure will respect the mansion's historic architecture. "It'll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I'm the biggest fan of," he said. "It's my favorite. It's my favorite place. I love it." Since returning to the office in January, Trump has made several design changes to the Executive Mansion. These include redecorating the Oval Office with gold accents, cherubs, and additional presidential portraits; adding large flagpoles to the North and South Lawns; and replacing the Rose Garden lawn with stone. "This will be a great legacy project," Trump said. "I think it will be really beautiful." McCrery Architects will lead the ballroom project, Clark Construction will build it, and AECOM will provide engineering services. Renderings have been posted to the White House website. According to Leavitt, donations, including a personal contribution from the president, will cover the cost of the project. She did not disclose other donors. Chief of staff Susie Wiles said the administration is committed to preserving the White House's legacy throughout the process. "President Trump is a builder at heart and has an extraordinary eye for detail," she said. Trump also hinted at another project in the works: replacing what he described as a "terribly" remodeled bathroom in the Lincoln Bedroom. He told NBC News he wanted to restore it with finishes that were more in line with its 19th-century origins. The last significant structural addition to the White House was the Truman Balcony, completed in 1948.
CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
Trump escalates tensions with Russia as he repositions nuclear submarines
Trump escalates tensions with Russia as he repositions nuclear submarines Military expert Glenn Ignazzio joins CTV to discuss the implications of U.S. President Donald Trump repositioning nuclear submarines after a Russian threat.
