Attorney General Merrick Garland reaffirmed his support for special counsel Jack Smith and defended the superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump. Garland emphasized that the indictment did not breach Justice Department rules regarding elections, specifically the '60-day rule' that prohibits overt investigative actions against a candidate close to an election.
Trump's legal team has previously cited this policy in challenging the special counsel's actions, with Trump himself accusing Smith of meddling in the 2024 election. In response to questions at a news conference, Garland expressed his confidence in the special counsel's actions, stating that the superseding indictment was a response to the Supreme Court's directives on how to proceed with a new indictment in an ongoing case.
Garland underscored that the special counsel is obligated to adhere to Justice Department policies, including those related to election sensitivities, and he believes that Smith followed these regulations diligently.
The superseding indictment in the federal election subversion case against Trump was unveiled last week, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle. The indictment has sparked discussions and analysis on its implications and potential outcomes.
