Jack Smith Has a History of Indicting Presidents

[bigtree]

Last edited Tue Dec 20, 2022, 01:36 PM - Edit history (2)

Jose Pagliery @Jose_Pagliery 2h
Several news outlets have profiled Jack Smith. None examined his work in Europe. Most even misidentified the international court he worked on.

After weeks of reporting, @thedailybeast takes the first close look at his impressive & controversial history: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-special-prosecutor-jack-smith-has-a-history-of-indicting-presidents

from DB:

“It’s not like this is his first rodeo,” said David Schwendiman, who led the Kosovo investigation until Smith took over. “It has huge political consequences. It takes bravery. Jack’s got to decide whether he’s going to indict a former president of the United States. But he did the same thing when it came to Hashim Thaçi.”

Kosovo’s now ex-president remains trapped inside a jail in the Dutch city of The Hague. Understanding how he got there helps contextualize Smith’s legacy at the controversial international prosecutor’s office he led until last month—and his ability to face Trump now.
_______________

Sources for this story unanimously noted that Smith’s experience combating the Kosovo hero narrative prepares him for the onslaught brought by Trump, who has used social posts and interviews with propagandists to cast doubt on the FBI’s two ongoing investigations. And several drew parallels between the challenges he faced with Albanian mob tactics and the ones he does now, as he leads the effort against an American president who has shielded himself with MAGA loyalists.

Smith, they said, is a natural fit.

read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-special-prosecutor-jack-smith-has-a-history-of-indicting-presidents

[Vinca]

1. That's encouraging.

[emulatorloo]

2. Thanks for the article, very interesting.

[spooky3]

3. I really hope we will get a Smithmas nt

[bigtree]

4. tenuous analogy

...noted.

[GoCubsGo]

5. This is probably why Garland appointed him, and not somebody else.

When you're coming after the king, bring in your best sharp-shooter.

[GenXer47]

6. Jack Smith, Giantslayer

Jack Smith climbed up the beanstalk
To have a look around
While there, he felled a giant
Ten tons and twenty pounds
'Twas not a goose's egg he found
But that of a bold, bald eagle
He returned that egg to the citizens
And restored the meaning of "legal".

[H2O Man]

8. Nice!

[flying_wahini]

13. Ooh loving this!

[ms liberty]

14. This is good! n/t

[Uncle Joe]

15. Someone caught that scene on their smart phone

[H2O Man]

7. Recommended.

Thank you for this.

[FakeNoose]

9. Daily Beast has been doggin' this story about Jack Smith

They ran this the other day:



(link) https://www.thedailybeast.com/meet-jack-smith-the-special-prosecutor-who-will-decide-whether-to-charge-trump

[republianmushroom]

10. We shall see, time will tell

[IronLionZion]

11. I hope Smithmas is better than Fitzmas

because TFG is way worse than W

[Katinfl]

12. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought it will still be Garland's decision as to charging trump.

Smith will investigate and present to Garland but it’s still Garland’s decision. That is what kind of scares me.

[wnylib]

16. What scares you about it?

Would Garland have appointed Smith, knowing his experience and ability, if he did not intend to endorse his investigation? It makes no sense to think that Garland would squash Smith's findings. After all, if Garland wanted a cover up, he would have chosen a less capable person.

I credit Garland with recognizing what he was up against and knowing that he needed someone with special expertise.

[Celerity]

18. Depends on how long Smith takes. There are only 13 months until the Rethug primaries start. Garland

will likely not indict Trump in the middle of an active POTUS election.

[wnylib]

24. Smith is working quickly. I very much doubt

that indictments will take that long. But even if they did, there is no law or rule that a candidate cannot be indicted. It's only a custom or tradition. How fitting it would be for the breaker of traditions to be indicted by a breaking of tradition.

But I am pretty sure that it won't come to a late date like that. A couple weeks ago I posted here that I thought the indictments would occur by June, 2023 or before. Since then a few political pundits have expressed the same view, especially after yesterday's J6 committee hearing. One of them said that he expected indictments by March.

[Slgal64]

26. Indictment sooner rather than later?

Tho I hope the Indictment comes sooner rather than later, the Ex Prez will probably face the Ga charges first and I believe the consequences of that probe will get the ball rolling. And NOT in his favor.Boo Hoo

[marble falls]

27. Add a 'boo hoo' from me, too. Welcome!

[Justice matters.]

19. Smith will make recommendations to Garland based on sealed indictments from

the DC Grand Jury (50%+1 vote requirements) and the evidence the succesful votes were based on.

I doubt the evidence will not result in unanimous votes from Grand Jurors to indict (under seal) in both J6 and documents investigations.

Then Garland will have no choice, based on his promise that no one is above the law no matter his previous title or position, then to unseal the indictments and bring up corresponding charges.

[ancianita]

20. Incorrect. Smith will present HIS decisions, and then Garland will personally sign off on them.

[ShazzieB]

22. That's not a worry of mine.

Take a look at what Garland said when he announced the appointment of Smith as special counsel. Here's a brief excerpt:

"Today, I signed an order appointing Jack Smith to serve as special counsel. The order authorizes him to continue the ongoing investigation into both of the matters that I have just described and to prosecute any federal crimes that may arise from those investigations."

Later, he added the following: "As special counsel, he will exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide whether charges should be brought."

The full text of Garland's statement is available in multiple sources. I'm quoting from this source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/18/transcript-merrick-garland-jack-smith-special-prosecutor/10728962002/

It sounds to me like Smith has been given a great deal of independence, including the authority to prosecute as he sees fit. Nowhere does Garland say Smith won't be able to prosecute someone without Garland's approval, and saying he will "exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide whether charges should be brought" indicates the opposite to me.

I have a hard time imaging why Garland would go to the trouble of appointing such a uniquely qualified person to do this job and make such a point of emphasizing the special prosecutorial authority he's been given, if he did not intend to allow Smith to fully exercise that authority.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

17. Looks like AG Garland made the correct choice.

TSFG is no match for Jack Smith app apparently.

[musclecar6]

21. YES

I completely agree with your thinking. The J6 committee has said the stage for a top-notch relentless capable prosecutor to carry the ball. My sense is Merrick Garland is ready to indict this despicable ex-president and has brought in the best guy for the job, to go after our national disgrace, full tilt.

From all I’ve read and heard, Jack Smith is not intimidated by the likes of Trump. Trump ought to be worried, but he’s so cocksure full of himself, he probably isn’t. if the Republican Congress had the intestinal fortitude to stand up to this bully to begin with, we won’t be in the mess we’re in now. That’s why a guy like Jack Smith is sorely needed at this time.

[Emrys]

23. May Smith sweep through the Trump crowd with the scythe of justice,

then move on to prosecuting Russian war crimes.

I get the feeling he might enjoy that.

[lame54]

25. So, Garland intentionally called in a president hunter