Former special counsel Jack Smith issued a stark warning that the United States is experiencing an assault on the rule of law under President Trump, expressing deep unease about the security of upcoming elections and alleging that the administration is turning the Justice Department into a political weapon.
In his first interview since stepping down ten days before Trump's second inauguration, Smith told MS NOW's "Deadline: White House" that the department has been fundamentally weakened under Trump's leadership. "Regardless of what you think politically, they're just not effective at doing their job anymore," he said, pointing to a growing distrust among judges that hampers prosecutors.
Smith, who brought charges against Trump after his first term, acknowledged the possibility that he himself could face indictment by the DOJ for angering the president by prosecuting him. He noted that others perceived as Trump's political enemies—such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James—have been targeted in similar ways.
He expressed anger at seeing public servants who handled cases unfavorable to Trump or his allies being "demonized for doing their jobs" by the administration. A week into Trump's second term, the DOJ fired prosecutors and other colleagues of Smith who were involved in the Trump prosecutions.
"I think it's really important that we stand up for them and let them know that there are a lot of people out there who back them and who are with them," Smith said, emphasizing that this support extends beyond those who have been fired for doing their jobs.
Smith was appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to oversee investigations into Trump. He later secured indictments accusing Trump of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which led to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump has denied the accusations and continues to falsely claim the election was rigged, fueling widespread efforts to overhaul election systems for suspected ballot fraud.
This warning comes amid broader concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department. In a related development, a Utah judge is investigating whether prosecutors violated a gag order in the Charlie Kirk murder case, highlighting ongoing tensions between the judiciary and prosecutors. Meanwhile, Trump has tapped former SEC Chair Jay Clayton to lead the intelligence community, a move that critics say further blurs the lines between law enforcement and political loyalty.
Smith's comments underscore a deepening crisis of confidence in the DOJ's ability to operate independently. As the administration continues to target those who prosecuted Trump, the rule of law faces unprecedented challenges, with Smith warning that the integrity of future elections hangs in the balance.
