Former Special Counsel Jack Smith led two criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump, focusing on the handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The cases were ultimately dropped following legal challenges and a Supreme Court ruling.
Classified Documents
Smith investigated Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office. Trump was charged on 37 counts, accused of retaining files, including those detailing US nuclear secrets and military plans, at his Florida estate. Some documents were reportedly found photographed in a ballroom and a shower.
Prosecutors alleged Trump attempted to obstruct the FBI inquiry into the missing documents. Trump denied any wrongdoing, but the case against him was later dropped.
2020 Election Results
Smith also investigated Trump for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Following an inquiry into the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol, Trump was charged on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US, tampering with a witness, and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.
Smith’s investigation focused on Trump’s actions in the two-month period between his loss to Joe Biden and the riot in Washington D.C., and did not include charges of inciting the January 6th mob.
Cases Dropped
Smith requested the dismissal of the cases, citing a Justice Department prohibition against prosecuting a sitting president, and stating it was not related to the merits of the cases. The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that a former president could not be prosecuted for “official acts” taken while in office. Trump subsequently won the election a few months later.
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