The House Judiciary Committee has expressed concerns regarding the potential purging of records by Special Counsel Jack Smith and prosecutors involved in investigations related to President-elect Donald Trump. The committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, has demanded that all documents pertaining to the probes be submitted to Congress by the end of the month.
In a letter addressed to Smith, the committee emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, stating that the Office of Special Counsel is not above scrutiny. They have requested information on various aspects of the investigations, including the use of FBI personnel on the team and any potential conflicts of interest.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department is seeking to close two federal criminal cases against President-elect Trump, citing a long-standing policy that prohibits the prosecution of a sitting president. This decision is based on a memo from the Office of Legal Counsel, which argues that investigating a sitting president would violate the separation of powers doctrine.
Smith's investigations into alleged retention of classified records and 2020 election interference have faced legal challenges, with Trump pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him. A federal judge in Florida dismissed the case related to classified records, ruling that Smith's appointment as special counsel was improper. In the case of election interference, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Trump immunity from prosecution for official presidential acts, leading to a new indictment being filed.
Trump's legal team is now seeking to have the election interference charges dropped in Washington, D.C., on the grounds of unlawful appointment of the special counsel. The ongoing legal battles highlight the complex and contentious nature of the investigations surrounding President-elect Trump.
