The Office of the Special Counsel has launched an investigation into potential Hatch Act violations by former special counsel Jack Smith, who led criminal probes into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election.
The investigation into Smith’s alleged violation of the Hatch Act comes as Trump and his allies have sought retribution against his political enemies and those who brought investigations against him.
While the Office of the Special Counsel — which is distinct from the special counsels, like Smith, who are appointed to oversee politically sensitive Justice Department investigations — is an independent agency created by Congress, it is currently helmed by a Trump appointee in an acting capacity after the president fired the previous head of the office, who was appointed by Biden for a five year term.
The investigation comes after Trump-ally Sen. Tom Cotton claimed earlier this week that “Smith used his DOJ role to influence the election” in favor of former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaigns, pointing to Smith filing a brief within 60 days of Election Day.
Read the full CNN report.
