Despite many and massive allegations, the ex-president wants to run again for the highest office. The Justice Department has now appointed a special counsel to independently investigate Trump.
US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has appointed a special counsel to handle the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump. That’s what Garland announced in Washington. The focus of the investigation is Trump’s handling of sensitive government documents, which he kept in his private home Mar-a-Lago long after leaving office. In addition, Jack Smith, who was appointed special counsel, is to take care of parts of the investigation into the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Smith was formerly the chief of the Public Integrity Division at the Department of Justice. His appointment comes three days after Trump announced his intention to run again for the presidency. “Because of recent developments, including the former President’s announcement that he will run for President in the next election, and the incumbent President’s stated intention to also run, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to have a to appoint special counsel,” Garland said.
The Ministry of Justice also decided to take this step to shield the investigation from political influence. Special prosecutors are more independent than ordinary prosecutors and have greater autonomy in day-to-day operations.
Trump supporters accuse Joe Biden’s government of investigating the ex-president for political reasons. “The Department has a real or perceived conflict of interest,” said Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania New York Times. “It’s going to be difficult to take action that will give people reassurance that the Justice Department is acting independently in the investigation into Trump.”