A federal agency that plays an important role in the strict oversight of government employees in America — the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) — has launched an investigation that caused a major stir, reports dw.com. At the center of this investigation is former special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led criminal cases against Donald Trump.
The process was initiated due to a complaint by Republican Senator Tom Cotton. According to the senator, Jack Smith may have tried to influence the 2024 presidential elections. For this reason, the OSC decided to launch an official investigation into Smith.
According to the source, the basis for the investigation is the possibility that Smith violated the "Hatch Act" — a law that prohibits government officials from using their positions for political activity. The OSC is an independent body and carries great responsibility for regulating the conduct of government employees. However, it does not have the authority to impose criminal penalties; its main function is to expose disciplinary violations committed during service and uncover breaches of the law.
Jack Smith is a former special prosecutor of the US Department of Justice. His work is especially remembered for two major cases against Donald Trump: the first — regarding the illegal storage of classified documents by the former president; the second — attempts to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election and the events of January 6, 2021, at the Capitol. These cases did not reach trial due to appeal processes and the US Supreme Court's decision regarding the immunity of former presidents.
It is noteworthy that after Donald Trump's victory in the election, Smith, referring to the Justice Department's policy not to prosecute the sitting president, officially stopped the investigation. However, in his report, he specifically emphasized that the evidence gathered was sufficient to indict Trump.
This event once again demonstrated the complex relationship between government officials and political processes in America. Security and impartiality remain the most important priorities. Major challenges lie ahead for the US political environment.
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