Special prosecutor Jack Smith addresses reporters in August 2023, after his grand jury issued more indictments of former president Donald Trump. (Bill O’Leary / The Washington Post)
Former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith faces investigation by Office of Special Counsel
Jack Smith, who pursued two cases against Donald Trump, is being investigated for potentially violating the Hatch Act.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said Saturday it is taking the unusual step of investigating Jack Smith, the former Justice Department official who oversaw two federal prosecutions of Donald Trump, for potentially violating the law barring federal officials from political activity.
The independent agencytasked with overseeing investigations into partisan influence and coercion confirmed its investigation of Smith over potential Hatch Act violations.
The Hatch Act prohibits most federal employees from using their official authority to influence elections or engage in overt political activity on the job. If the office concludes a federal employee has violated the law, it refers the case to the president. Discipline can range from a reprimand to a removal from federal service.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) on Wednesday called for an investigation into Smith, asking acting special counsel Jamieson Greer — who is also serving as Trump’s U.S. Trade Representative and acting director of the Office of Government Ethics — in a letter to look into whether Smith “unlawfully took political actions to influence the 2024 election to harm then-candidate President Donald Trump.”
