Garland appoints special counsel to lead Trump-related probe

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has appointed a special counsel to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the existence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate and the 2021 1 Key aspects of the separate inquiry into the 6 June rebellion and revocation of the 2020 rebellion elections.

The move, announced three days after Trump officially launched his 2024 candidacy, is an acknowledgment of the unmistakable political impact of two investigations involving not only the former president but also current White House candidates.

Mr. Garland said Mr. Trump’s announced candidacy for president and President Joe Biden’s possible candidacy in 2024 were factors in his decision to appoint veteran prosecutor Jack Smith as special counsel.

He said the appointment would allow prosecutors to continue their work only “under the undisputed guidance” of facts and law.

“The Department of Justice has long recognized that, in certain exceptional circumstances, it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel to independently manage investigations and prosecutions,” Mr. Garland said from the Justice Department’s podium.

“Based on recent developments, including the former president’s announcement of his candidacy for the next election, and the current president’s stated intention to become a candidate, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel”

Although the appointment brings a new director into the investigation — both investigations are expected to accelerate as the midterm elections wind down — the special counsel will still report to Mr. Garland, who is open to questions about whether to Allegations are final.

Mr. Smith, a seasoned prosecutor who led the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Unit in Washington and later served as acting chief U.S. attorney in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Obama administration, said Mr. Garland would begin his work “immediately.” work.

Mr Smith also served as Chief Prosecutor at the Special Court in The Hague, which was mandated to investigate international war crimes.

The Justice Department described Mr. Smith as a registered independent in an effort to undercut any perceived politically biased attack.

Mr. Trump is a Republican and Mr. Biden is a Democrat.

“Throughout his career, Jack Smith earned a reputation as a fair and determined prosecutor who led a team with energy and focus on pursuing the facts,” Mr Garland said.

“As Special Counsel, he will exercise independent prosecutorial judgment in determining whether charges should be brought.”

“The exceptional circumstances here require it,” Mr Garland said of the appointment.

The special counsel’s investigation will combine an investigation into “whether any person or entity has unlawfully interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election,” as well as a probe into classified documents from Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Mr Garland said he would ensure the special prosecutor had the resources to do his job “swiftly and completely”.

Mr Smith said he planned to conduct the investigation “independently and in accordance with the best traditions of the Justice Department”.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment, while Biden ignored loud questions from reporters about the appointment.

The decision to appoint a special counsel may still draw questions from members of Congress.

Mr. Garland has repeatedly spoken of his particular focus on facts, evidence and the law in Justice Department decision-making, and has expressed his determination to restore the agency’s political independence after the tumultuous years of the Trump administration.

And there appears to be no apparent conflict like the last appointment of a special counsel to handle Trump-related investigations.

The Trump Justice Department named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead an investigation into potential cooperation between Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.