Watchdog agency investigating ex-Trump prosecutor Jack Smith for alleged illegal political activity

[FakeNoose]

Source: AP News

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — 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.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-jack-smith-investigate-cotton-special-counsel-f32b39962d7aee1cb87f71ea9fde13f5

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Revenge is all the Fat Bully cares about.

[Justice Brandeis]

1. Has the Hatch Act ever been enforced?

I mean, beyond just the occasional strongly worded letter.

[hildegaard28]

2. What are

They going to do when this gets laughed out of court? Trump committed so many obvious crimes in his first time in the White House. Although that term seems to pale in comparison to this one. At least we'll have plenty of fresh crimes to prosecute him for next time. And the Supreme Court can just be ignored if they try the ole' "presidential immunity" nonsense. After all, Trump set the precedent. Plus, maybe we can impeach and remove the conservative justices for crimes next time, too.

[dem4decades]

4. Laughed out of court? What if it's Aileen's court?

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Considering how Trump has deftly combined the political with governmental

and criminal, I don't see how Jack Smith could have avoided findings of criminal activity within the Trump White House and Re-Election. It would like trying to separate white and black from the color grey.

[johnnyfins]

5. More theater of distraction

This time it's from cotton brain. I swear they have a wheel that they spin to determine who spews bullshit next...

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Is that like starting an insurrection in a court of law through grand juries?

Trumpism is dictating an inverted reality to the USA. I think our leaders really need to see this era through that lens.

[Silent Type]

7. From what I've read, it's not criminal charges. Sort of a waste of time, even if something were there.

[FakeNoose]

12. Maybe this court case would give Jack Smith the opportunity to defend himself

Like ... for example ... maybe he'll get a chance to reveal some of the Epstein documents in court.
That would be a hoot!

[turbinetree]

8. Hey Supreme Court what do you think now ..............might as well throw in the Republican Control Senate........

that had the means and not the will to ...........keep this jerk out of office.................might as well call this country Hungary II...................

[mdbl]

9. Repugs now think investigating law-breakers a politial activity.

That means they ALL must be doing it.

[LudwigPastorius]

10. Fucking ridiculous...

Investigating Trump was his job assignment from the AG.

This is simple harassment by Trump and his ankle biters.

[Deuxcents]

11. Throwing it out there for his fans..another distraction

[choie]

13. Sure, put Smith on the stand

maybe he'll tell us about what he knows about the Jan 6th insurrection and the stolen classified files case. You do that, trump - you fucking bastard!

[FakeNoose]

14. I'll bet he knows at least something about Epstein too

Let Jack Smith defend himself on the stand, and he can tell us what he knows about Chump's crimes.