Former President Donald Trump and his campaign have accused special counsel Jack Smith of violating Justice Department norms by including new revelations about Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in a filing. However, a federal judge, not Smith, made the decision to release the filing. Trump called it a “weaponization of government” but the release was made in an ongoing criminal case at the order of Judge Tanya Chutkan.
Chutkan, who regained control of the case after a Supreme Court ruling, ordered new indictments against Trump and allowed arguments to be submitted about what conduct in the case was presidential and what was private. Even though the Justice Department typically observes a 60-day “quiet period” before an election, this case was an exception.
Smith’s decision to seek a superseding indictment against Trump was based on the belief that Trump committed felonies in a conspiracy to overturn the election. This action is seen as proper by legal analysts, even though Trump claims it is interfering with the election. Trump’s attacks on the Justice Department have also offended federal prosecutors, echoing sentiments expressed by prosecutors in cases against Jan. 6 defendants.
The case against Trump will continue, with Chutkan overseeing the process and making determinations on immunity and other key issues. Despite Trump’s criticisms and claims of wrongdoing, the legal process is proceeding according to established guidelines and protocols.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com