Officials investigate ex-Trump prosecutor over alleged illegal political activity
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, on Saturday confirmed the investigation after reporting by other news organisations. Smith was named special counsel to investigate
Trump by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022.
Trump and his Republican allies, including Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, have – without offering evidence of wrongdoing – accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity.
Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election.
Smith ultimately dropped the cases – neither one had gone to trial – after Trump was reelected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to long-standing Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special counsel.
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