Special Counsel Jack Smith resigns, flees US ahead of Trump’s inauguration

Jack Smith, the special counsel who led the prosecution against former U.S. President Donald Trump, has resigned and reportedly fled the country ahead of Trump’s upcoming inauguration on January 20.

According to official statements submitted to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, Smith completed his final work, including submitting a confidential report on January 7, before leaving the U.S. Department of Justice on January 10.

Smith, a former war crimes prosecutor, was appointed in November 2022 to oversee investigations into Trump’s alleged mishandling of confidential documents after his presidency and his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

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Following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Smith and his legal team moved to dismiss the charges, citing a Justice Department rule that prevents prosecuting incumbent presidents.

Despite acknowledging the validity of the charges, Smith’s team confirmed they could not pursue them given Trump’s imminent return to office.

This decision effectively collapses the legal cases against Trump, clearing the way for him to take office without facing legal consequences. Trump had previously indicated plans to remove Smith upon assuming the presidency for a second term.