Special Counsel Jack Smith Resigns Before Trump's Inauguration

Special Counsel Jack Smith has officially resigned from the Justice Department after concluding two criminal investigations into President-elect Donald Trump. His resignation, expected prior to Trump's inauguration, follows the dismissal of charges against Trump, including those related to the retention of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith's departure was noted in a court filing that also urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon not to extend a temporary block on releasing his final report. The Justice Department seeks to release parts of Smith's report before Trump assumes office, particularly concerning his attempts to challenge the election outcome. Smith's investigations did not reach trial, and he cited policies prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president as a reason for dropping the cases after Trump's election victory. This transition raises concerns about the potential influence of Trump's administration on the future of ongoing legal proceedings.