Jack Smith Under Investigation Amid Political Backlash Over Trump Prosecutions

Former special counsel Jack Smith is under investigation by a US watchdog over alleged Hatch Act violations tied to his prosecution of Donald Trump. Critics claim political bias, while supporters warn of rising politicization. The inquiry adds to broader scrutiny of federal officials involved in Trump-era investigations.

US federal officials have launched an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who led high-profile criminal cases against Donald Trump before resigning earlier this year. The Office of the Special Counsel (OSC), which confirmed the probe, has not disclosed details but is reportedly examining potential violations of the Hatch Act—a law restricting political activity by government employees.

Smith, appointed in 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, spearheaded investigations into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Both inquiries resulted in criminal charges, to which Trump pleaded not guilty, framing the prosecutions as politically driven.

Following Trump’s election victory in November 2024, the Department of Justice closed the cases, citing its policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Smith resigned from the Justice Department in January 2025.

The OSC lacks authority to press criminal charges, but it can initiate disciplinary action or refer findings to the Justice Department. Republican Senator Tom Cotton recently urged the OSC to investigate Smith, accusing him of improperly influencing the 2024 election. Cotton described the charges as “illegal campaign activity from a public office,” further amplifying Republican claims of partisan misuse of federal power.

Smith has yet to comment on the investigation. His probe is the latest in a string of inquiries into former officials, including ex-FBI director James Comey and former CIA chief John Brennan, both now under scrutiny for their roles in past investigations into Trump and Russian election interference.

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The case highlights rising concerns about the politicization of federal agencies and the potential chilling effect on independent investigations. As the OSC moves forward, questions persist about the balance between accountability and political retribution.