Former special counsel Jack Smith delivered a stark warning in September 2025, declaring that the rule of law in the United States faces an unprecedented threat. Speaking at George Mason University, Smith reflected on his career defending legal norms and expressed deep concern about the Justice Department's current state. He criticized the DOJ leadership under President Donald Trump’s administration, alleging that prosecutors are being asked to act contrary to legal and ethical standards to secure desired outcomes favorable to the president. Smith highlighted tensions within the DOJ, including career prosecutors resisting orders they see as improper, and noted that grand juries and judges are increasingly pushing back against questionable prosecutorial actions. This warning was part of a broader critique that the DOJ has been politicized, undermining its credibility and independence[1].

The Trump administration strongly denied these accusations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is merely fulfilling his promise to restore accountability within the Department of Justice, rejecting claims that the department is being weaponized for political purposes. The administration maintains that efforts under Trump’s direction are aimed at upholding the law rather than targeting political enemies[1].

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to pursue what many see as a reciprocal campaign against his political adversaries, intensifying a cycle of legal and political retaliation. Reports indicate Trump’s Justice Department has targeted figures such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, fueling claims of politically motivated prosecutions. Trump openly justifies these actions as payback for the numerous indictments against him, marking a departure from traditional prosecutorial neutrality and further eroding norms regarding the separation of justice and politics[2].

Jack Smith’s most high-profile role was overseeing the federal indictment against Trump related to the mishandling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. The 37-count indictment charged Trump with obstructing justice and making false statements. However, in July 2024, a federal judge dismissed the case on constitutional grounds regarding Smith’s appointment as special counsel. Smith appealed, but following Trump’s 2024 election victory, he asked to remove Trump from the case while preserving the option to prosecute later, consistent with DOJ policy against charging sitting presidents. Smith also led prosecutions in other Trump-related cases, including state charges involving alleged falsification of business records and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, though some of these charges were dismissed or remain ongoing[3].

This dynamic legal battle between Jack Smith and Donald Trump encapsulates a broader conflict over the integrity and independence of the U.S. justice system amid heated political divisions.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI