Rep. Elise Stefanik filed an ethics complaint against Special Counsel Jack Smith with the DOJ, accusing him of attempting to expedite the trial in the election interference case against Trump before the 2022 midterms.
Stefanik argued Smith’s team improperly continued filing motions while the case was stayed pending an immunity appeal.
A judge declined to hold Smith in contempt but limited further filings.
Stefanik said Smith’s actions violated DOJ policies and brought disrepute to the department.
Smith “has sought to accelerate his illegal prosecution of President Trump for the clear (if unstated) purpose of trying him before the November election,” Stefanik stated, noting that the DOJ’s “own policies clearly prohibit Smith from doing so.”
“Smith’s conduct has brought disrepute to the Department of Justice and the entire federal government, and the DOJ’s Office of Professional Responsibility should impose the discipline that such conduct warrants,” Stefanik said.
A Smith spokesperson pointed to the judge’s ruling and a DOJ investigator’s comments that prosecuting an existing indictment does not violate rules against influencing elections.
Rep. Matt Gaetz previously asked the DOJ inspector general to investigate if Smith was allowing the 2024 election to impact his prosecution timeline.
Trump has broadly denied wrongdoing and argued politically motivated prosecutors are conducting a “witch hunt.”
