President-elect Donald Trump criticized special counsel Jack Smith, calling him a “disgrace,” after Smith resigned from the Department of Justice. Smith’s resignation was announced on Saturday in a court filing, which stated that he completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, before leaving the DOJ on January 10.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, saying, “Deranged Jack Smith was fired today by the DOJ. He is a disgrace to himself, his family, and his Country. After spending over $100 million on the Witch Hunt against TRUMP, he left town empty-handed!”
Smith was appointed in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol riot and alleged mishandling of classified documents. Smith had previously served as acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee during Trump’s first administration.
Smith’s resignation comes ahead of the anticipated release of his report on the Capitol riot case. A court ruling on Friday cleared the way for the report’s release, which Garland has promised to make public, as much as legally possible.
After Trump’s victory in the November election, Smith moved to close the cases against the president-elect. In late November, he asked a judge to dismiss charges against Trump related to the Capitol riot, and earlier requested to vacate all case deadlines.
Responding to the dropped charges, Trump stated on Truth Social: “These cases were lawless and political. They should never have been brought. Against all odds, I persevered and won. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
