Special Counsel Jack Smith resigns from DOJ.

At a Glance

• Jack Smith resigned as Special Counsel on January 10, 2025, after prosecuting two criminal investigations involving President-elect Donald Trump
• Smith submitted his final confidential report on January 7, 2025
• Judge Cannon blocked the report’s release, citing Smith’s alleged illegal appointment as special counsel
• The DOJ is urging Judge Aileen Cannon to allow the release of Smith’s report before Trump takes office on January 20
• The DOJ has appealed Cannon’s ruling, seeking to release the report before January 20

Smith’s Departure and Final Report

Jack Smith, the Special Counsel overseeing federal criminal investigations into President-elect Donald Trump, has resigned from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The resignation, effective as of January 10, 2025, marks the end of Smith’s tenure leading two high-profile Trump prosecutions, one regarding the 2021 Capitol riot and the other involving Trump’s handling of classified documents. Smith’s departure comes on the heels of submitting his final confidential report on January 7, 2025, concluding his work on the investigations.

The DOJ confirmed Smith’s resignation in a court document filed with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon. The timing of Smith’s exit, just days before President-elect Trump is set to take office on January 20, has raised questions about the future of the investigations and the potential release of his final report. The DOJ previously dismissed the two criminal investigations against Trump because of his return to the presidency.

BREAKING: Jack Smith has officially resigned from the DOJ pic.twitter.com/wdDYk9SEo3

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2025

Legal Battle Over Report Release

A legal tug-of-war has ensued over the release of Smith’s final report. The DOJ is actively urging Judge Cannon not to extend her order blocking the report’s release before Trump’s inauguration. This push comes after Cannon ruled on January 7 to block the report, citing Smith’s alleged illegal appointment as special counsel.

In response to Cannon’s ruling, the DOJ filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court to reverse the injunction. The appeals court has stated that while the DOJ could theoretically release the report, Cannon’s decision must first be appealed.

Implications for Ongoing Investigations

Smith’s resignation raises questions about the future of the investigations he oversaw. While his work has concluded, the full impact of his findings remains to be seen. The DOJ’s push to release the report before January 20 suggests a desire to establish a public record of the investigations’ outcomes before the transition of power.

As the legal community and the public await the potential release of Smith’s report, the focus now shifts to how these investigations might influence the incoming administration and the broader landscape of American politics. The resignation of Jack Smith marks the end of a significant and tumultuous chapter in the Department of Justice’s recent history, leaving a legacy that will likely be debated for years to come.