Former President Donald Trump and his campaign have accused special counsel Jack Smith of violating Justice Department norms by including new revelations about Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in a recent filing. In reality, a federal judge, not Smith, made the decision to release the filing to the public. Trump has criticized the timing of the release, just before Election Day, as an attempt to influence the election.
The Justice Department typically observes a 60-day “quiet period” before an election to avoid actions that may impact voters. The disclosures in the filing were made at the order of a federal judge in an ongoing criminal case, not as a deliberate attempt to influence the election. The judge has made it clear that Trump’s campaign schedule will not impact the case.
Despite Trump’s complaints, legal experts have confirmed that Smith’s team followed proper procedures in the case. The judge reviewed and approved redactions in the filing, and the timing of the new indictment against Trump was within legal guidelines. Smith’s team believes that Trump committed crimes related to the 2020 election and should face consequences.
Trump’s criticism of the Justice Department’s actions is consistent with his past rhetoric that has offended federal prosecutors. This behavior has been noted in cases against individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection, with prosecutors arguing that disrespect for the law warrants harsher punishment.
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