A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith was appointed in November 2022 – nearly two years after the US Capitol attack.
Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two federal cases against Donald Trump, has left the United States Department of Justice before the Republican president-elect is inaugurated on January 20 for a second term.
Trump was indicted in both cases overseen by Smith.
A former war crimes prosecutor, Smith was appointed in November 2022 – nearly two years after the US Capitol attack – to lead the Justice Department’s twin ongoing investigations into Trump.
After Trump defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, Smith dropped both cases, citing a longstanding Justice Department rule against prosecuting sitting presidents.

Jack Smith, who led Trump prosecutions, leaves US Justice Department