General Discussion

ShazzieB

(22,677 posts)

36. When Garland announced Smith's appointment, he said the following:

Mon Dec 19, 2022, 09:04 PM

Dec 2022

"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.

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Highlight:

Jamie Raskin ...... dropping the hammer right now. [View all] Botany Dec 2022 OP

Hope the news horns blare it loudly nt intrepidity Dec 2022 #1

One more than expected. mobeau69 Dec 2022 #2

BOOM!!! TigressDem Dec 2022 #3

Are they gonna name the four individuals to be sanctioned? Reader Rabbit Dec 2022 #4

I believe I saw... AZSkiffyGeek Dec 2022 #8

I wanted Godard on that list. lindysalsagal Dec 2022 #33

A PBS correspondent read the preliminary report and wnylib Dec 2022 #21

Love Jamie Raskin DET Dec 2022 #5

I hope Jamie Raskin gets in the queue for a POTUS run in 2028, if not 2024. usaf-vet Dec 2022 #29

Now the question is, will Merrick Garland actually do anything with these referrals? Marius25 Dec 2022 #6

Don't hold your breath. onecaliberal Dec 2022 #9

only indication would be if smith expanded his scope..... getagrip_already Dec 2022 #10

yes, lots of barking...will there be actual bites Skittles Dec 2022 #11

I'll bet SC Smith is drooling! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #12

I do have some confidence in HIM Skittles Dec 2022 #13

I do, too! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #16

I, as well! colorado_ufo Dec 2022 #17

Garland? It's up to Jack Smith now! ShazzieB Dec 2022 #14

I believe SC Smith means to clean house! SheltieLover Dec 2022 #18

not exactly. drray23 Dec 2022 #27

When Garland announced Smith's appointment, he said the following: ShazzieB Dec 2022 #36

But Jack Smith might! ananda Dec 2022 #28

Raskin is a powerhouse! RobertDevereaux Dec 2022 #7

He would make an excellent president, as well as being our first Jewish president. Lonestarblue Dec 2022 #22

AGREED RobertDevereaux Dec 2022 #23

If he were to run, I'd be delighted to support him! calimary Dec 2022 #24

Agree, a man of conviction and courage. n/t Paper Roses Dec 2022 #30

DAAAAAAAAAYUM!!!!! calimary Dec 2022 #15

who are the "...and others"? onetexan Dec 2022 #19

Kick and rec all Trump criminal referral threads. Kingofalldems Dec 2022 #20

Hammer blows in Mahler 6th Symphony.. Enjoy !!! HUAJIAO Dec 2022 #25

Wow! I was impressed by the power of those 'hammerers', but when I saw the last one ..... 70sEraVet Dec 2022 #34

LOL !! HUAJIAO Dec 2022 #35

like it republianmushroom Dec 2022 #26

K&R Blue Owl Dec 2022 #31

As he read the first charge, and it appeared on their screen I teared up... electric_blue68 Dec 2022 #32