Trump's Former Lawyer Backs Jack Smith — "Should Be Celebrated"

John Dowd, a former legal advisor to President Donald Trump, expressed his support for Jack Smith, the former special counsel, in an opinion piece published on MS Now. In his article, Dowd argued that Smith should be celebrated, especially as he prepares for a closed-door meeting with the House Judiciary Committee. He also emphasized the importance of avoiding the politicization of the legal system.

Why It Matters

Jack Smith was previously responsible for leading the prosecution against Trump in connection with alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Additionally, Smith was involved in another case concerning the handling of classified materials. However, in July 2024, the charges related to classified documents were dismissed when federal judge Aileen Cannon ruled that Smith was not properly appointed as special counsel.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and Smith eventually dropped the federal cases after Trump was reelected. This decision comes as part of a broader investigation by the House into the Justice Department's criminal investigations of Trump during the Biden administration. Recently, Smith was subpoenaed as part of this inquiry.

Dowd, who served as Trump’s lead attorney during the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller, has also worked as legal counsel in a case brought by Smith. His experience with the legal process gives him a unique perspective on the matter.

What To Know

In his opinion piece, Dowd criticized the Republican stance on the upcoming closed-door session with the House Judiciary Committee. He stated that Republicans are preventing the American public from hearing from a career prosecutor who investigated serious allegations involving Trump. Smith had advocated for a public hearing but will instead appear before the committee in a private session.

Dowd highlighted his interactions with Smith, describing him as fair, impartial, and committed to the facts and law. He noted that Smith was not influenced by partisan politics and emphasized that recent criticisms of Smith are politically motivated and lack factual basis. Dowd also praised Smith's integrity, stating that he was a straight shooter and open-minded.

The former Trump lawyer warned against the politicization of the legal process, asserting that Smith did not let politics influence his work. He concluded his article by urging that Smith should be celebrated for his courage in pursuing justice.

What People Are Saying

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan commented on the situation, stating that "everything was wrong" during the investigation. He added that if Smith does not answer questions during the session, it could be problematic.

Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the committee, said that they want to hear exactly what Smith found and what he did, emphasizing the need for honesty.

On the other hand, Representative Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, made strong remarks, claiming that Smith should be in jail and calling him a crook. He demanded accountability for Smith's actions.

What Happens Next

Smith is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee in a private session on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Trump is expected to address the nation later that evening.