Former President Donald Trump has been vocal in his disapproval of Smith’s investigations into his conduct regarding classified documents and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
According to the Associated Press, Trump announced in a recent interview that, if he wins the 2024 election, he will terminate special counsel Jack Smith within moments of taking office.
Trump made these comments on Thursday while speaking with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. When asked if he would prioritize removing Smith or pardoning himself to handle the legal challenges against him, Trump replied emphatically, saying he would address the matter by immediately firing the special counsel.
Special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, has been tasked with investigating Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and actions surrounding the 2020 election. Smith is handling two high-profile federal cases involving Trump.
The first case accuses Trump of unlawfully retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This case was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in July, though Smith has since appealed the ruling. The second case centers on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which was recently delayed following a Supreme Court decision concerning presidential immunity.
During the interview with Hewitt, Trump called Smith “a scoundrel” and claimed that firing the special counsel would be among his first actions if elected. Trump has previously suggested he would remove Smith if given the chance, labeling him as biased and unfair.
However, removing Smith might not be straightforward. Smith is not a presidential appointee, meaning Trump would need the Justice Department’s assistance to dismiss him. Trump’s history with former special counsel Robert Mueller shows this approach may be complicated; during his presidency, Trump asked then-White House counsel Don McGahn to have the Justice Department fire Mueller, but McGahn declined.
Hewitt suggested that Congress could seek to impeach Trump if he were to fire Smith, but Trump brushed off this possibility, stating he did not believe it would happen.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has reportedly used footage and information from Smith’s investigations to criticize Trump. One recent ad targeting Trump includes footage from the January 6 Capitol attack, drawing attention to Smith’s work in relation to Trump’s alleged involvement in events leading up to that day.
Trump’s remarks on Thursday reflect his long-standing frustration with the Justice Department and special counsels, whom he sees as partisan actors targeting him unfairly. By vowing to fire Smith, Trump has made it clear that he would use executive authority to push back against investigations into his actions.
Throughout the interview, Trump praised Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed the Mar-a-Lago case, referring to her as a “brave” and “brilliant” judge. He emphasized that he had never personally interacted with Cannon but admired her decision and approach to his case.
The former president has frequently praised judges and officials he views as fair in their assessments of his cases. Cannon’s decision to dismiss the case concerning classified documents in July was particularly significant to Trump’s supporters, who argue that the Justice Department’s investigations are politically motivated.
Trump’s statement about firing Smith drew mixed reactions from supporters and critics alike. Some argue that his proposal to terminate the special counsel is indicative of his desire to limit executive branch investigations, while others view it as an appropriate use of presidential power.
