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Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Criticizes DOJ for “Corruption” and Political Targeting
Former special counsel Jack Smith delivered a scathing critique of the Department of Justice during a private dinner in Washington D.C. this April, accusing the department of being “corrupted” and targeting President Donald Trump’s political enemies, according to a New York Times report published this week.
Speaking to an audience of several hundred people, Smith claimed the DOJ has weaponized its authority—ironically, the same accusation Republicans have repeatedly made against Smith himself for bringing two high-profile criminal cases against Trump during the Biden administration.
“We have a Department of Justice today that targets people for criminal prosecution simply because the president doesn’t like them,” Smith said at the event. He specifically criticized investigations into some of Trump’s political rivals, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The DOJ responded forcefully to Smith’s comments. A department spokesperson told Fox News Digital they “expected nothing less from Jack Smith whose sole mission was to politically prosecute a former president in an attempt to stop him from assuming office again.” The spokesperson added that the current DOJ “has ended the weaponization perpetrated by the Biden Administration and will continue to ensure no one is above the law.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson was equally critical, calling Smith a “lying hack” who prosecuted Trump “to try and benefit his Democrat cronies.” She dismissed his criticism as “laughable,” saying the current administration has restored integrity to the Justice Department.
Smith’s comments represent a remarkable turn in the ongoing political drama surrounding the Justice Department. As special counsel, Smith brought indictments against Trump for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election and for retaining classified national defense information after leaving office. Both cases faced significant challenges—the election case encountered legal hurdles, while the classified documents case was dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon, who ruled Smith had been unlawfully appointed. Smith was appealing Cannon’s ruling when Trump won the 2024 election, after which Smith moved to dismiss both federal cases, citing longstanding DOJ policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Throughout the investigations, Trump repeatedly condemned Smith in harsh terms, calling him a corrupt “thug” who belonged in jail. In January, Trump described Smith as a “deranged animal” who should lose his law license—despite Smith’s extensive legal background, which includes prosecuting war crimes in the Hague and leading the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section during the Obama administration.
In his recent comments, Smith claimed the DOJ turns a blind eye to cases that might reveal “inconvenient” facts contradicting “narratives the president would like to press.” He also accused the department of punishing career prosecutors who stand up for principle, citing the example of several Minnesota attorneys who resigned over disputes about an investigation into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killing an anti-ICE activist.
“To erode the rule of law in this country you need to attack these people, and that is what we have seen since January 2025,” Smith stated.
Not all of Smith’s comments were negative, however. According to the New York Times, he praised the current DOJ for being more vocal than it was under Biden. This comes as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who replaced Pam Bondi last month, has adopted an aggressive media strategy, holding press conferences and giving numerous interviews to both friendly and challenging media outlets.
Smith’s harsh critique highlights the deepening partisan divide over the Justice Department’s role and independence. While he believes the department has become corrupted under Trump, he expressed optimism that it would “ultimately come through this better.” Meanwhile, Trump continues to suggest that Smith himself should be investigated for what the president has called a “Democrat SCAM.”
A representative for Smith declined to comment on the reported remarks.
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9 Comments
As a concerned citizen, I’m troubled by the apparent lack of accountability and transparency. Whichever side is right, the American public deserves to know the truth about the DOJ’s actions and decision-making processes.
I agree completely. Restoring public trust in the justice system should be the top priority here, regardless of partisan affiliations.
This clash between Smith and the DOJ raises many questions about the integrity of the justice system. I believe an independent, non-partisan inquiry is necessary to get to the bottom of this matter and ensure accountability.
The DOJ’s response to Smith’s comments seems defensive. If there is indeed evidence of political targeting, that is a grave abuse of power that must be addressed. However, we need to be cautious about jumping to conclusions without all the facts.
Accusations of corruption and politically-motivated prosecutions are very serious. I would like to see a thorough, independent review of the DOJ’s actions to ensure fairness and restore public trust.
I agree, an impartial investigation is crucial here. The American people deserve to know the facts, regardless of political affiliation.
This situation highlights the delicate balance between upholding the rule of law and avoiding political interference. I hope both sides can set aside their differences and work towards a fair and transparent resolution.
The accusations of corruption and political targeting are very serious. I hope this can be resolved through a fair and impartial investigation that upholds the principles of justice and the rule of law.
This clash between Smith and the DOJ is quite concerning. It seems there are deep divisions and allegations of political targeting on both sides. I hope the truth comes to light through fair and impartial investigations.