Bridgewater (US), Aug 3: Jack Smith, the Justice Department special counsel who led two criminal cases against Donald Trump, is under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for alleged political activity. The OSC, an independent agency that enforces the Hatch Act—which bars federal employees from partisan conduct—confirmed the probe but does not have criminal enforcement powers. The investigation follows a request by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who accused Smith of acting to benefit President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Smith was appointed in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland. In 2023, he charged Trump with attempting to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents. Both cases were dropped after Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, citing DOJ policy that prohibits prosecuting a sitting president. Garland has insisted politics played no role in the investigations.
The OSC has not opened similar inquiries into special counsels investigating Biden or his son Hunter. The agency itself has seen leadership turmoil, and is currently led by acting chief Jamieson Greer, after Trump’s controversial nominee Paul Ingrassia’s hearing was delayed. (AP)
