Jack Smith is accused of violating the Hatch Act, a law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity
Federal officials have opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his re-election, for alleged illegal political activity.
Trump and his Republican allies, including Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, have – without offering evidence of wrongdoing – accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity.
Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election.
Smith ultimately dropped the cases – neither one had gone to trial – after Trump was reelected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to long-standing Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special counsel.
