The Office of Special Counsel has initiated an unprecedented formal investigation into Jack Smith, the former Department of Justice special counsel who oversaw high-profile Trump investigations, marking the first official legal inquiry into his conduct as part of this Special Counsel probe.

Smith’s tenure as special counsel included two significant investigations targeting President Trump during the Biden administration: one concerning his handling of classified documents after leaving office, and another examining his actions on January 6th, 2021, and their potential connection to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

This Special Counsel probe, spearheaded by the Office of Special Counsel’s Hatch Act Unit, focuses on allegations that Smith engaged in political interference and activities, which would violate federal law prohibiting government employees from partisan conduct under the Hatch Act. An internal email reviewed by sources confirms the review, with Senior Counsel Charles Baldis leading the inquiry.

The investigation stems from mounting pressure and complaints from Republican lawmakers, particularly from figures like Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Critics argue that Smith’s actions, particularly within the scope of the Trump investigations, were politically motivated and designed to interfere with Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Senator Cotton has been particularly vocal, asserting that Jack Smith’s legal pursuits were not only unethical but potentially illegal campaign activity executed from a public office. He specifically accused Smith of accelerating trial dates to disrupt crucial political events, such as the Iowa caucuses, thereby impeding Trump’s electoral prospects through alleged political interference.

Throughout his controversial Trump investigations, Jack Smith consistently maintained that his procedures adhered strictly to legal protocols and were free from political influence. Despite numerous allegations concerning the Special Counsel probe, Smith has not publicly responded to Senator Cotton’s specific claims, and he did not immediately comment when approached for this report.

The formal investigation by the Office of Special Counsel underscores the deep political polarization surrounding the legal actions against a former president and highlights ongoing concerns about the perceived weaponization of the justice system. The outcome of this Special Counsel probe could have significant implications for public trust in federal institutions and the integrity of future political processes, especially concerning potential political interference issues under the Hatch Act.