Trump Reportedly Claims Jack Smith Was ‘Fired’ as Special Prosecutor Amid Legal Battles
Doug Mills/The New York Times
President-elect Donald Trump celebrated on social media Sunday morning, falsely asserting that special prosecutor Jack Smith had been “fired” by the Department of Justice just days before Trump’s return to the White House.
Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, led investigations into Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents. These efforts resulted in criminal charges that were ultimately dropped after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
Smith’s resignation, which was noted in a footnote “buried in court papers,” according to The New York Times, did not include a formal announcement. Trump, however, took to Truth Social, declaring, “Deranged Jack Smith was fired today by the DOJ.
He is a disgrace to himself, his family, and his Country. After spending over $100,000,000 on the Witch Hunt against TRUMP, he left town empty-handed!” In reality, Smith resigned on Friday, a move that was widely expected.
According to CNBC, “His departure was expected, as Smith indicated he would leave before Trump took office, and because the president-elect planned to fire the special counsel if he did not resign.” Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team continues to oppose the release of Smith’s final report on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
A federal appeals court recently ruled that the report could be made public, but it imposed a three-day delay to allow time for further appeals. Trump retains the option to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to block the release of the report.
However, as of now, the president-elect has not indicated whether he will take this step. Should Trump choose not to appeal, the report could be released to the public as early as Sunday. The special counsel’s resignation and Trump’s reaction highlight the contentious legal battles that have defined Trump’s political career.
As his second term nears, the pending release of Smith’s report could provide new insights into the allegations that have surrounded Trump, fueling further debate and scrutiny.
