House Republicans have taken a significant step by putting special counsel Jack Smith on notice as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House and Republicans aim to maintain their majority in the House. The House Judiciary Chair, Jim Jordan, and GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who is leading the investigation into the former January 6 committee, have sent a letter to Smith instructing him to preserve his records and comply with their previous requests.
In their letter, Jordan and Loudermilk formally requested the preservation of all existing and future records and materials related to the Office of Special Counsel's investigations and prosecutions of President Trump. This move comes amidst Trump's repeated statements about his intention to dismiss Smith and put an end to the federal cases against him concerning his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and mishandling of classified documents.
According to a DOJ official familiar with the discussions, as of Wednesday, Smith is engaged in active discussions with Justice Department leadership regarding the resolution of the federal cases against Trump. The ongoing talks suggest a potential shift in the legal landscape surrounding Trump's legal challenges.
The developments underscore the escalating tensions between House Republicans and the special counsel's office, as the political landscape continues to evolve with Trump's impending return to the White House. The outcome of these interactions could have far-reaching implications for the future trajectory of the investigations and legal proceedings involving President Trump.