The figure designated to supervise two open cases of the former president
US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special prosecutor on Friday conduct two criminal investigations against the former president Donald Trump for his role in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and for government documents, some classified as top secret, which he kept in his private residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
The chosen one is John L. Smith, former head of Public Integrity at the Department of Justice, a figure that Garland calls “impartial” and that help distance the government from the process. The prosecutor stressed that Smith’s appointment “is the correct decision” due to the “extraordinary circumstances” of both cases, involving a former US president. Though Garland didn’t name him during his speech, he confirmed that the investigation will focus in interference during the “transfer of powers“in January 2021 and handling classified documents found by the FBI at Trump’s Florida mansion.
The announcement comes three days after the Republican announced what was already an open secret: his intention to run for president in 2024.following his defeat to Joe Biden two years ago, a move some analysts believe will further complicate his criminal investigation. At the same time, his lawyers have made it clear that his candidacy will not prevent a possible trial.
During his speech to the media from the White House, Garland didn’t hesitate to use the word “obstruction” twice., providing clues about the charges that could finally be leveled against the New York tycoon. Trump’s team, for his part, was quick to respond through a spokesperson. “This is a totally expected political stunt from an irresponsible, politicized, gun-toting Biden Justice Department,” he said.
Garland indicated that it was an “extraordinary” step that he decided to take after Trump’s step to run for re-election. “The appointment underscores the Department’s commitment to independence and accountability on particularly sensitive issues,” she said.
Garland’s new special prosecutor he has more than three decades of experience with criminal cases. Between 2008 and 2010 he worked at the International Tribunal in The Hague, involved in prosecutions for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Upon his return to the United States, he assisted the Justice Department in investigating public figures in alleged corruption cases.
Smith already knows what it’s like to deal with politicians. He led the team which he sentenced to two years in prison to former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, for receiving large sums of money from a local businessman, a decision later overturned by the Supreme Court. He also won the case against Rick Renzi, a Republican congressman whom Trump pardoned in his final hours as president. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
“I intend to conduct the assigned investigation, and any prosecutions that may ensue, independently and in the best traditions of the Justice Department,” Smith said in a statement.
The special prosecutor, who was unable to be present due to a knee injury after a bicycle accidentserved since 2018 as chief prosecutor in The Hague prosecute war crimes committed in Kosovo. Despite Smith’s nomination, the final decision on whether to press charges against Trump will rest entirely with Garland.
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