Jordan demands Smith retain all records related to Trump prosecutions as special counsel’s office winds down
The House Judiciary Committee has raised concerns about potential record purging by special counsel Jack Smith and prosecutors involved in investigations related to President-elect Donald Trump. In response, the committee is demanding that all documents related to the probes be produced to Congress before the end of the month.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Rep. Barry Loudermilk penned a letter to Smith on Friday, expressing their concerns over recent reports that prosecutors in Smith’s office were considering legal options in the event that President Trump won the election. With Trump’s victory, the committee is worried that the Office of Special Counsel may attempt to purge relevant records to avoid oversight.
Jordan and Loudermilk emphasized that the Office of Special Counsel is not above transparency or accountability for its actions. They requested that Smith produce all requested material by November 22, 2024, including information about the use of FBI personnel on his team and any previous involvement in matters concerning President Trump.
The committee also renewed requests for records related to visits to the White House, communications with Attorney General Merrick Garland, and other relevant documents. These demands come as the Justice Department is looking to wind down federal criminal cases against President-elect Trump ahead of his second inauguration.
The Justice Department is relying on a memo from the Office of Legal Counsel, dating back to 2000, which prohibits the prosecution of a sitting president to uphold the separation of powers doctrine. This memo argues that impeachment proceedings are the appropriate way to address presidential misconduct while in office.
Smith’s investigations into alleged retention of classified records and 2020 election interference have led to legal battles with Trump’s attorneys. A federal judge in Florida dismissed the charges against Trump, ruling that Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel. The case of election interference is now pending in Washington, D.C., with Trump’s attorneys challenging the charges on similar grounds.
As the House Judiciary Committee continues its oversight of the Department of Justice and the Office of Special Counsel, the demand for transparency and accountability remains paramount. The ongoing legal battles between Trump and the special counsel underscore the complexities of investigating a sitting president and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
