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January 14, 2025

Jack Smith: Enough Evidence to Convict Trump for Election Subversion If He Weren't Reelected
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The Justice Department has released special counsel Jack Smith's report
detailing what he called Donald Trump's "criminal efforts to retain
power" after losing the 2020 election. In the report, Smith said there
was enough evidence to convict Trump, but that proceeding with the
prosecution became impossible after Trump was elected two months ago.
Smith wrote, "The department's view that the Constitution prohibits the
continued indictment and prosecution of a president is categorical and
does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the
government's proof or the merits of the prosecution, which the office
stands fully behind." Smith went on to write, "Indeed, but for Mr.
Trump's election and imminent return to the presidency, the office
assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and
sustain a conviction at trial."

The Justice Department has not yet released a second part of Smith's
report that covers his investigation into Trump's mishandling of
classified documents.


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