Jack Smith is reportedly being investigated for possible violations of the Hatch Act; Republican’s condemn the president for sacking Erika McEntarfer. Key US politics stories from Saturday 2 August
The US office of special counsel, an independent federal agency, confirmed to NBC News that it is investigating former Department of Justice prosecutor Jack Smith for possible violations of the Hatch Act.
Smith led investigations into Donald Trump’s part in the 6 January US Capitol riot and alleged mishandling of classified documents.
It comes as senior Republican lawmakers condemn the decision of their party leader, Trump, to fire the leading US labor market statistician after a report that showed the national economy added just 73,000 jobs – far fewer than expected – in July.
Trump claimed, without evidence, that the numbers were “RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad” and the US economy was, in fact, “BOOMING” on his watch.
