Special counsel Jack Smith plans to resign before Donald Trump enters the White House, a report claims.
The federal prosecutors’ two cases against the president-elect are about to conclude.
Sources close to Smith told the New York Times he wants to finish his job and avoid being fired “within two seconds” of Trump’s swearing-in on January 20.
The two complex investigations into Trump have cost taxpayers approximately $50 million.
One involved classified documents that the former president kept after leaving office following his first term.
The other focused on Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss leading up to January 6.
Special counsel Jack Smith plans to resign before Donald Trump enters the White House, a report claims
Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives to speak with members of the media at the United States Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. on August 1, 2023
Last week, Smith asked the judge overseeing the Jan. 6 case to halt further proceedings following Trump’s election victory.
He asked for a one-month delay so he could “assess this unprecedented circumstance” and “determine the appropriate course of action moving forward, consistent with Department of Justice policy.”
Judge Tanya Chutkan quickly granted that request by canceling all remaining deadlines in the trial.
Smith had previously maintained a relentless pace in his filings over the course of the year.
Although Trump remains president-elect, the January 6 case would extend well into his presidency if it were to proceed.
He said during his campaign that he would fire Smith in “two seconds” if elected.
Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives to speak with members of the media at the United States Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. on August 1, 2023
Trump was indicted on felony charges in August 2023 for attempting to overturn the election leading up to January 6.
Legal experts had also predicted that the case against Trump over classified documents would be concluded if he won the election.
He is accused of taking national security documents to Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House in early 2021 and obstructing justice.
Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, has already dismissed the documents case and Smith had appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Justice Department’s policy is that a sitting president cannot be criminally prosecuted.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that they cannot be prosecuted even after they leave office.
Before he leaves, Smith will file a report detailing his investigation.
That will be an opportunity for him to present his case to the public.