Staff ReportsSpecial counsel Jack Smith’s legal team made a dramatic exit from the Justice Department’s appeal concerning the classified documents case against two of Donald Trump’s associates. It seems that in this soap opera of legal gymnastics, the plot thickens but not necessarily for those hoping to see Trump in handcuffs. Last month, Smith made the wise decision to drop all charges against the former president in both the classified documents case and the dubious election interference case. His reasoning? A little thing called the long-standing Justice Department policy that tells us sitting presidents can’t be criminally prosecuted. Who knew bureaucratic red tape could be so convenient?
Despite pulling back on Trump himself, Smith’s team still has business—albeit questionable business—left to pursue against Trump aide Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago employee Carlos De Oliveira. Both men pleaded not guilty to charges related to the prosecution’s claims about them conspiring to delete surveillance footage, which they suggest could have shown evidence that would be all-too-convenient for the FBI’s version of events. But let’s face it: Smith’s efforts against them might be just a case of trying to save face instead of seeking justice.
Meanwhile, Judge Aileen Cannon decided she wasn’t buying what Smith was selling, ruling that his appointment as special counsel was unconstitutional and required a stamp of approval from Congress. Not exactly a glowing endorsement of the special counsel’s grand crusade against Trump and his allies. After Cannon’s ruling, the Justice Department did what any honorable organization would do—it appealed. Yes, instead of focusing on real crime in America, they decided to keep the convoluted legal circus alive.
But as amusing as this spectacle is, it seems the odds are ever in Trump’s favor. Many believe that once he saunters back into the Oval Office, his administration will expedite the dismissal of charges against Nauta and De Oliveira. So much for accountability! Smith’s latest move to refer the case back to the DOJ’s Southern District of Florida only adds to the speculation that he’s grasping at straws.
Another Win for Trump: Jack Smith Withdraws from Mar-a-Lago Documents Case: Jack Smith continues to retreat. https://t.co/Ev3xxKC7y8 pic.twitter.com/XvCOZZGAjl
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) January 3, 2025
There’s another layer to this ongoing drama that cannot be ignored: the glaring double standard in the treatment of Trump versus that of President Joe Biden. While Trump has faced an avalanche of charges—many seen as politically motivated—Biden remains unscathed for his own retention of classified documents during his time in office. One might wonder if there’s a secret list floating around in the DOJ where Biden’s name is planted firmly at the top, exempt from any consequences, while Trump’s is highlighted in neon for political opponents to file frivolous claims.
What do Democratic leaders like Rep. James Clyburn have to say about it? Clyburn suggested that Smith might need a preemptive pardon from Biden for his efforts against Trump. This whole situation reeks of partisan mischief, and voters are left wondering whether justice can ever truly be served when politics is in the mix.
