Jack Smith, the Special Counsel who once spearheaded high-profile federal investigations into Donald Trump, has stepped down from the Department of Justice. His resignation comes in the wake of Trump’s re-election victory over Kamala Harris, signaling the close of cases that once gripped the nation’s attention.
Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, took on two major cases against the former president—one alleging mishandling of classified documents and another concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Both cases unraveled in the face of legal challenges, political resistance, and Trump’s return to power.
In a court filing on Saturday, Smith’s team informed Judge Aileen Cannon of his resignation and requested the removal of a court order barring the release of his final report. The report, submitted earlier this month, marked the culmination of his work and underscored the challenges his team faced in pursuing legal accountability for a former president.
A Tumultuous Path to Nowhere
Smith’s tenure was defined by legal and political roadblocks. One case was dismissed by a Trump-appointed judge, and the Supreme Court’s ruling granted former presidents broad immunity for actions taken during their terms. These decisions halted Smith’s prosecutions before they could reach a jury.
Trump’s victory in November cemented the cases’ demise, as Justice Department guidelines prohibit prosecuting a sitting president. Smith’s office defended the merits of their charges but acknowledged the practical impossibility of proceeding with Trump returning to the Oval Office.
The outgoing president-elect celebrated Smith’s departure, using his platform to deride the prosecutor’s efforts as baseless and vindictive. The cases against Trump, instead of undermining his political ambitions, became rallying points for his supporters, fueling his comeback and framing him as a victim of systemic bias.
The Legal Landscape Ahead
Smith’s resignation is emblematic of the broader collapse of criminal cases against Trump, leaving questions about the accountability of a president who has consistently challenged institutional norms. While Smith’s office has ceased its pursuit, legal battles against Trump’s allies continue, with some facing obstruction charges related to the classified documents case.
Other cases remain stalled, including those in Georgia, where procedural disputes and allegations of misconduct have cast doubt on their progress. Meanwhile, Trump’s conviction in a New York case involving falsified business records hangs in limbo, with his legal team seeking dismissal.
Jack Smith’s departure closes a chapter in the ongoing saga of Donald Trump’s legal entanglements, leaving a legacy of untested charges and unresolved controversies. As Trump prepares to assume the presidency once more, the legal and political ramifications of these cases remain a potent reminder of the complexities of prosecuting a former—and now future—commander-in-chief.
