Matt Gaetz questions Jack Smith’s continued Trump probe despite 'unlawful appointment' as special counsel

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Matt Gaetz has written a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and questioned the legitimacy of special counsel Jack Smith’s continued probing of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, per Fox News.

Gaetz asked Garland for "any written authorization" or other documentation on Smith’s continued efforts despite his case against Trump being rejected by a federal judge in July 2024.

Gaetz questions legitimacy of Jack Smith’s continued probing of Trump

Matt Gaetz wrote in the brief letter, "On August 27, 2024, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump in federal district court in the District of Columbia. One day later, he was arguing before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, attempting to overturn a federal district judge’s finding that he was unlawfully appointed by you."

The Rep added, "It is unclear what authority Special Counsel Smith has to file either of these briefs or to provide services to the Department of Justice."

Florida-based US Judge Eileen Cannon deemed Smith’s appointment as special counsel unlawful and said his lack of Senate confirmation for the role made him illegitimate, the media outlet stated.

Cannon, a Trump appointee, had been overseeing Smith’s prosecution of the GOP candidate over his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. 

Notably, Smith ended up filing a response with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and argued that Cannon was wrong in her assessment of the special counsel role, saying "precedent and history" were on his side, along with "long tradition of special counsel appointments by Attorneys General and Congress’ endorsement of the practice."

Smith files superseding indictment in separate probe

Jack Smith also filed a superseding indictment amid the court battle in a separate probe that he is conducting into Trump, investigating whether the ex-POTUS conspired to overturn the 2020 election.

Smith filed an amended indictment in that prosecution after the Supreme Court's recent ruling giving presidents wider immunity privileges, per Fox News.

Gaetz, however, questioned if Smith even had the legal footing to file either of those motions and asked Garland whether he consulted the deputy attorney general and existing public integrity guidelines before Smith filed the superseding indictment.

Gaetz requested him to "provide any records of the Deputy Attorney General’s Office or the Office of the Attorney General authorizing the Office of Special Counsel to file the Aug. 27, 2024, superseding indictment."

Notably, The former president has denied any wrongdoing in any of the prosecutions against him.

Internet slams Gaetz as he questions legitimacy of Smith’s continued probing of Trump

Many internet users slammed Matt Gaetz as he wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and questioned the legitimacy of Jack Smith’s continued probing of Donald Trump.

A user wrote on X, "Oh! Another strongly worded letter! I’m sure he’s terrified!", while another added, "Holy c***! Another strongly worded letter. That’s gonna get us somewhere."

A person also stated, "Letters get you no where…", whereas one mentioned, "Wow @RepMattGaetz, you wrote a letter? Wow, that is awesome. Please, after all that hard work, take a month or two off."

A user also wrote, "That would be the @GOP that paid for it all and tossed in some new buildings and sht", while another commented, "You’re a BIG FOOL. Name one thing you’ve achieved in congress???"

A person also mentioned, "I hope you lose this election. You are a humiliation to our district."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.