Officials investigate ex-Trump prosecutor over alleged illegal political activity

Federal officials have opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his re-election, for alleged illegal political activity.

Trump and his Republican allies, including Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, have – without offering evidence of wrongdoing – accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act, a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity.

Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate Trump in the lead-up to the November 2024 presidential election.

Smith ultimately dropped the cases – neither one had gone to trial – after Trump was reelected, which would have shielded him from prosecution according to long-standing Justice Department practice. Smith then subsequently resigned as special counsel.