Investigation Launched Against Special Counsel Jack Smith by Political Watchdog

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. -- The Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency tasked with regulating partisan political activity among federal employees, has initiated an investigation into Jack Smith, the special counsel from the Justice Department who has filed two criminal cases against former President Donald Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

This investigation was confirmed on Saturday, with the agency looking into allegations that Smith's actions may have constituted political activity related to his inquiries involving Trump. Smith was appointed as special counsel by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022, and his official role is separate from the agency currently examining him. While the Office of Special Counsel does not possess criminal enforcement authority, it can impose fines and other penalties for violations of the Hatch Act, which prohibits certain political activities by federal officials.

It remains unclear what evidence exists to support claims that Smith's investigations were politically motivated or that he breached the provisions of the Hatch Act. Earlier this week, Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, urged the agency to investigate Smith's conduct, alleging that his actions were aimed at benefiting then-President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both members of the Democratic Party.

Smith's legal actions against Trump include one case accusing him of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and another regarding the mishandling of classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. Both cases were initiated in 2023, significantly prior to the upcoming presidential election cycle, and the indictments in these matters reference what Smith and his team describe as clear violations of established federal law. Garland has consistently maintained that political considerations did not influence the management of these cases.

After Trump's victory in November, both cases brought against him were halted by Smith, who cited long-standing Justice Department policy that prohibits the indictment of a sitting president.

There has yet to be any indication that the same office investigating Smith has opened inquiries into the special counsels appointed by Garland to examine President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

The White House has not issued a comment regarding the investigation into Smith, which was first reported by The New York Post. The Office of Special Counsel has experienced significant leadership challenges over the past year. The previous chief, Hampton Dellinger, was dismissed by the Trump administration and initially sought legal recourse to regain his position before ultimately dropping the case. Trump appointed Paul Ingrassia, a former right-wing podcast host with controversial views, as Dellinger's successor, although his nomination faced scrutiny and was removed from the Senate agenda last month.

Currently, Trump's trade representative, Jamieson Greer, is serving as the acting head of the Office of Special Counsel.