US special prosecutor Jack Smith, who is leading two cases against US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to end the investigations and resign before the future president can fire him, US media reported, quoted by DPA, writes BTA.
During his election campaign, Trump said he would fire Smith “in two seconds”, but according to information in c. “The New York Times” and in “Washington Post” the prosecutor will resign before then.
The practice of the US Department of Justice is not to investigate sitting presidents, DPA points out. The scope of this practice was recently expanded by a decision of the Supreme Court.
Smith has asked a Florida court to give him until Dec. 2 to consider the “unprecedented circumstances”, Politico reported. and “Fox News”, citing court documents.
Trump was indicted in Florida for allegedly illegally withholding classified documents after his term ended and obstructing investigations. In July, Smith requested a retrial after the judge had previously stayed it. Even before Trump's re-election last week, it was unclear how the case would proceed.
Trump has also been charged in Washington with attempted election fraud, as well as his role in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Smith must inform the court there by December 2 how he intends to act in this case as well.
Trump announced last night that he would replace current Attorney General Merrick Garland with right-wing hardliner Matt Gaetz, himself the subject of a Justice Department investigation into human trafficking and underage sex. The agency then declined to press charges.