CNN —
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would use his executive authority to end the investigation into former President Jack Smith, who faces multiple criminal charges. He promised to fire the special prosecutor who prosecuted the case.
“Oh, it’s so easy. That’s so easy,” President Trump said when asked by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt if he would choose between “forgiving himself” and “firing Jack Smith.” , replied:
“I would fire him in two seconds,” Trump said.
Smith was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee two investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and allegations of mishandling of classified documents. Ta. The classified documents lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge, but Smith is appealing.
Mr. Trump remains indicted in Mr. Smith’s election destruction case. After the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, Smith filed a superseding indictment in August that reduced the charges but did not drop the four charges brought against Trump.
President Trump is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
If the former president fires Smith, the Justice Department and Trump’s attorney general could drop the charges against him and end the trial.
Trump was convicted of 34 felonies in a separate case in New York earlier this year, but there is also evidence that the judicial system is being weaponized against him as he runs for president. He has repeatedly insisted that there is no such thing. But Trump has repeatedly indicated he would weaponize the justice system against his political opponents if re-elected.
The comments are not the first time Trump has suggested Hewitt fire Smith. Trump, who frequently criticized Smith during his campaign, told Breitbart last July that he had “no intention” of continuing as special counsel if he was re-elected.
Asked if he would fire Smith, Trump said, “I won’t keep him.” “Jack Smith? Why should I keep him?”
During his campaign, Trump has consistently suggested that if re-elected, he would use the judicial system as a weapon to go after his political opponents. The former president has said several times that he feels entitled to go after political opponents because of his criminal charges, and has said that if President Joe Biden regains the White House, he would “pursue” the president and his family. ” He vowed to appoint a special prosecutor.
President Trump has also labeled his political opponents “enemies from within” as he becomes increasingly vocal about his perceived opponents in the final stages of the campaign. President Trump called Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi “enemies from within,” arguing they pose a greater threat than foreign enemies.
President Trump has gone so far as to suggest using the military to deal with the “enemy from within” on Election Day, saying his concern is not disruption by his supporters or foreign actors. He said the confusion was caused by “radical left-wing lunatics.” Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted Trump’s comments on the campaign trail, calling him “volatile,” “unfettered,” and seeking “unchecked power.”
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
