Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations into Donald Trump over the last two years have reportedly cost U.S. taxpayers more than $50 million, according to Department of Justice expenditure reports.
Financial disclosures from the Special Counsel's Office indicate that from mid-November 2022, when Smith was appointed special counsel, until March 31, 2023, his office incurred costs of about $9.25 million. A subsequent disclosure for the following six months showed an increase in spending to roughly $14.66 million. The latest available expenditure report from October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, revealed expenses of approximately $11.84 million.
These costs encompass both direct and indirect expenses, with the latter being provided through various Department of Justice agencies.
While expenditure figures for the period between April 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024, are pending release, the average spending over the three reported periods amounts to around $12 million. When factoring in this estimate along with the publicly reported figures, the total amount spent by Smith's office since his appointment is estimated to be approximately $47.5 million. However, this total does not include expenditures from September 30 onwards, suggesting that the actual amount spent likely exceeds $50 million.
Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith in November 2022 to oversee the federal investigation into Trump's alleged interference in the 2020 election and mishandling of classified documents.
Following an extensive nearly two-year investigation, Smith filed motions on Monday to dismiss the cases against Trump, citing procedural standards that prevent the prosecution of a sitting president. The judge presiding over the election interference case agreed to drop the charges, while a decision on the classified documents case was still pending as of Monday evening.
In response to the judge's decision, Trump criticized the investigations as 'empty and lawless,' stating that they 'should never have been brought.' Trump further expressed discontent with state prosecutors and district attorneys, accusing them of campaigning on 'GETTING TRUMP' in an inappropriate, unethical, and potentially illegal manner.
