Jack Smith's resignation plans are another confirmation of the president-elect’s abiding ability to escape legal and political accountability.

Summary

After facing nearly 100 felony charges, including a historic conviction for hush-money payments, Donald Trump’s legal troubles appear to be stalling.

Jack Smith, the special counsel leading key federal cases on election interference and classified documents, reportedly plans to resign following Trump’s recent election victory, which effectively nullifies these cases.

Trump’s return to office, combined with Supreme Court rulings enhancing presidential powers, signals he may face minimal accountability.

This lack of oversight could empower Trump’s administration to act with unprecedented legal and legislative freedom.

  • Yondoza@sh.itjust.works
    11·
    13 days ago

    The justice dept went easy on Trump because it sets a very dangerous precedent for the current administration to use the power of the justice dept on political rivals. He was removed from office and his actions were investigated and displayed to the public. Under normal circumstances, those actions should make it so he cannot run again. The electorate are designed to be the check on political power, but it failed.

    I fear elections no longer have that check. I do however believe the justice department made the right decision. I don’t think it should criminally prosecute political rivals, because then we end up with situations like Nivalny dieing in prison. The justice department played it’s role by exposing all of the criminal behavior, the electorate did not by allowing someone that dangerous back into power.

      • Yondoza@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        13 days ago

        I understand your frustration, and I think he is guilty of the things he is accused of also. I still think the justice department made the correct democratic decision of setting the precedent that the executive branch does not prosecute political figures when the electorate has a chance to make that decision.

        I hate that the electorate decided that none of those offenses were damning enough to flush that turd, but that’s democracy. He won the popular vote and it’s up to those of us unhappy with the result to convince others that we need better leadership.

        • ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works
          9·
          13 days ago

          Compare to Brazil. They had a similar scenario play out with Bolsanaro. He was prosecuted and barred from office until I think 2030 for his stunt. It doesn’t seem controversial.

        • Veneroso@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          12 days ago

          The investigations into January 6th and the classified documents were slow-walked beyond belief. Trump didn’t even announce reelection until after the FBI raid. That was in August 2022! 20 months after January 6th.

          If you or I did any of this we would have been in a government black site, not free to run for reelection.

          Trump won’t have the same hesitation when he starts his revenge tour.