Former President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that he would fire Special Counsel Jack Smith if he wins the presidency again. During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump stated, “I would fire him within two seconds.”
Smith is leading two significant cases against Trump: one related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the other concerning the handling of classified documents post-presidency. When asked whether he would pardon himself or fire Smith, Trump unequivocally chose the latter.
Legal experts quickly criticized Trump’s remarks, arguing that they undermine the principle of an independent Justice Department. National security attorney Bradley P. Moss told USA TODAY, “Mr. Trump has made it clear he views himself as above the law. If he wins, he will likely govern as if he is above the law.”
Trump has previously expressed disdain for Smith, labeling him “deranged” in a July 2023 interview with Breitbart News, and he even suggested on Truth Social that Smith and his team should be imprisoned.
During his first term, Trump attempted to dismiss Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, as outlined in Mueller’s report.
In addition to targeting Smith, Trump has hinted at using the Justice Department to prosecute political opponents for unspecified offenses. His comments come amid new evidence released in his election interference case and a recent characterization from former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who described Trump as fitting a “general definition of fascist.”
Hewitt cautioned that firing Smith could lead to an impeachment inquiry, similar to the case of President Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. Trump, however, expressed confidence that Congress would not impeach him for such an action.
