Story perspectives

Jack Smith Defends Trump Probe as Prosecutors Quit

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 11:48 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jack Smith Drops Indictment

Counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, defending investigations of President Donald Trump.
Jack Smith said he pursued Trump cases without regard to party and would prosecute regardless.
Jack Smith secured a 2023 indictment charging President Donald Trump with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud United States.
Jack Smith dropped the indictment after President Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection, citing DOJ policy barring prosecution of sitting presidents.

Summary

Kurt Olsen Resigns

Kurt Olsen resigned from the “grand conspiracy” probe on Monday, citing security-clearance problems.
Joseph diGenova resigned three weeks earlier, marking two senior prosecutors quitting within a month.
Jack Eckenrode, former Durham special counsel FBI agent, also left the investigation recently.
The “grand conspiracy” probe merges multiple President Donald Trump-related inquiries and has produced no charges.
A lead national-security prosecutor was removed earlier this year after questioning the case’s evidentiary basis.

History

Historical Context

Watergate began with the June 17, 1972 break-in at the DNC headquarters, leading the House Judiciary Committee under Chairman Peter Rodino to launch an impeachment inquiry in October 1973 and, after the Supreme Court forced release of tapes in July 1974, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. The 2023 indictment of former President Donald Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith echoes that same congressional-executive clash.

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Jack Smith Drops Indictment

Counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, defending investigations of President Donald Trump.
Jack Smith said he pursued Trump cases without regard to party and would prosecute regardless.
Jack Smith secured a 2023 indictment charging President Donald Trump with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud United States.
Jack Smith dropped the indictment after President Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection, citing DOJ policy barring prosecution of sitting presidents.

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