Jack Smith Takes the Reins: A Special Counsel for the Trump Saga
Washington dust‑slid, and Justice Attorney General Merrick Garland dropped a bombshell on Friday, November 18: Jack Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, will act as special counsel to steer investigations into former President Donald Trump’s actions from the Oval Office down to the 2020 election.
Why the Sudden Move?
Three days after Trump made his comeback plot known in a big‑screen, “We’re back!” announcement, Garland called out the need for “independent oversight.” The President’s re‑run hopes, coupled with President Biden’s own plans to stay in the White House, turned the appointment into a political safety valve.
What a Special Counsel Does
Special counsels are the DOJ’s unsung heroes for cases that could stir a political storm. They operate with a fork‑in‑the‑road independence, ensuring that investigations stay on course even if senior aides want to bail out.
Jack Smith’s First Words
“The pace of the investigations will not pause or flag under my watch,” Smith said.
“I will exercise independent judgment and move the investigations forward expeditiously and thoroughly to whatever outcome the facts and the law dictate.”
Smith has his two big‑ticket tickets in hand: one for Trump’s handling of classified documents after he left the White House, and another for the alleged attempts to derail the peaceful transfer of power post‑2020.
What This Means for Trump’s Future
- Document mishandling could lead to serious charges.
- The 2020 interference probe could uncover attempts to alter election results.
- All eyes are on Smith to see if he keeps a level head while chasing these legal rabbit ears.
With a former war crimes prosecutor at the helm, the DOJ promises to keep the story moving forward—no drama, just facts, and a dash of diligence that doesn’t let the political circus distract from the legal process.
<img alt="" data-caption="A handout photo. Jack Smith is seen in an undated handout photo released by the US Justice Department after Attorney General Merrick Garland announced his appointment as special counsel for the Justice Department's investigations into the actions of former US President Donald Trump, in Washington, US, on Nov 18, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”c20136cb-ae13-4526-9fa9-b741519c2fc4″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/JZAJAOCFPZIXJI7ZURRWSDMIYQ.jpeg”/>
Special Counsel Shuffle: What You Need to Know
Judge Janet Garland – Brought on board by President Biden – is pretty confident in the decision, saying “Appointing a special counsel at this time is the right thing to do.” Meanwhile, the battlefield is wide open, and things are about to heat up.
Trump’s Take: “No‑Games” Style
- In a Fox News statement, Trump announced he won’t partake in the new special counsel’s investigations.
- He later slammed the move on social media:
“The Democrat Department of ‘Justice’ had nothing, except Trump haters, so they just appointed a Special Prosecutor to go after me further. Disgraceful!” - He’s set to release a full statement Friday from his Mar‑a‑Lago estate – the drama continues.
Who’s the New Special Counsel? Meet Duncan Smith
- Under a cloak of “political independence,” Smith is a former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, handling war crimes in Kosovo.
- He’s also led the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and worked as a federal and state prosecutor in New York.
- It’s the second time in five years that the DOJ has appointed a special counsel to probe Trump’s actions.
Past – The Mueller Memo (2017)
Robert Mueller was named a special counsel and uncovered links between the 2016 campaign and Russia. He didn’t find enough evidence to charge criminal conspiracy.
Current Q&A: FBI’s Record Grab and Possible Obstruction
- FBI Agents seized thousands of government records from Mar‑a‑Lago in a court‑approved search on August 8, including some classified files.
- Investigators are also looking into whether Trump might have tried to block or hinder the probe.
- Trump filed a civil lawsuit to delay the document investigation and keep certain records out of reach.
Election‑Era Upside‑Down Among the New Investigation
- There’s a sprawling probe into a “failed plot” aimed at overturning the 2020 election by submitting fake elector slates to the National Archives.
- A grand jury is hearing evidence, with subpoenas issued for testimony from former White House attorneys and close advisers to Vice President Mike Pence.
Quick Takeaways
- Garland approves the move; Trump rejects it.
- Duncan Smith brings a hefty prosecutorial pedigree.
- This is the DOJ’s second special counsel stint on Trump in a decade.
- Execution of investigations is already underway—think records, possible obstruction, and election meddling.
- Biden remains silent on probing, leaving reporters to wonder how the White House plans to handle the heat.
Stay tuned for the next chapter in this political thriller—it’s going to be a long ride!
Political distance
<img alt="" data-caption="Former US President Donald Trump announces that he will once again run for US president in the 2024 US presidential election during an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, US, on Nov 15, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”da4e01c9-f34a-4dba-8226-107143156d86″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump_reuters.jpg”/>
What’s the Deal with Garland and the Special Counsel?
Picture Attorney General Merrick Garland as the captain of a ship named “Justice”. He holds the title of final commander but hands the wheel to a new Special Counsel, David Smith, hoping the crew can look at a fresh map while the captain keeps a respectful distance.
Why a “Political Breather” Matters
- With Smith on deck, Garland can keep his lights on and his hands away from the wigglers—giving everyone a sigh of “this isn’t our own show.”
- Public confidence? Blink, and it’s back. A two‑off‑planet, two‑investigation plan that looks less like a drama and more like a tidy business report.
The Prosecutors Don’t Leave the Cast
Despite the new face, the career prosecutors—the seasoned “trustees” of the investigations—remain in the trenches. They keep pushing “justice 3.0” on the field.
Smith’s Unplanned Knee Trip
Fresh from a biking mishap, Smith had a quick knee operation. In a world that loves news conferences, he decided to skip the event—just a “let me recover” moment.
It’s Not Just About Trump
- New York Attorney General throws a civil lawsuit next door, accusing Trump and three of his grown‑up kids of a fraudulent play with the family real‑estate empire.
- It’s the latest episode: Smith is the third special counsel the Justice Department has sent out since 2017 to tackle cases that feel more like political hairpins than straight law books.
- Previously, John Durham investigated the FBI’s probe into the 2016 campaign, leading to two acquittals this year.
Two Tricky “Truth” Cases
Years ago, William Barr decided—no evidence of obstruction—while Mueller left the question hanging. Now, between the FBI’s background story and the uncle’s new lawsuit, the saga keeps rolling.
That’s the scoop, but don’t forget: politics, justice, and a fallen knee can all mix into one legal cocktail. Cheers!
