Reuters reports that political appointees asked that an internal DOJ review of former special counsel Jack Smith be suspended. Staffing shortfalls—nearly half of OPR staff and about 17% of OIG staff left during Trump's second term—coincide with a rise in complaints and a drop in investigations. OPR interviewed Smith last spring but the review remains open; a separate criminal inquiry is underway and Smith denies wrongdoing.
Reuters: Trump Political Appointees Asked To Suspend DOJ Probe Into Special Counsel Jack Smith
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
Reuters reports that political appointees in the Trump administration asked that an internal Department of Justice review into former special counsel Jack Smith be suspended, amid broader disruptions to DOJ oversight offices.
Background
The Reuters investigation notes that federal judges in multiple cases have accused the Justice Department under President Donald Trump of serious misconduct — including making false statements, failing to follow court orders, and improperly using legal processes against political opponents. Those are the kinds of issues the DOJ's watchdog offices exist to investigate.
Staffing Crisis In Oversight Offices
Government records cited by Reuters show severe staffing shortfalls at the two main internal watchdogs: nearly half of the Office of Professional Responsibility's (OPR) workforce left during Trump's second term, while roughly 17% departed the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Reuters reports that one oversight office has hit a "20-year high" in complaints even as the number of investigations opened has fallen to a "20-year low."
The Smith Probe
The OPR opened a review after Republican lawmakers alleged Smith attempted to influence the 2024 presidential election with his investigation of former President Trump and that he "sought to improperly coerce cooperation" from a Trump aide. Reuters says OPR investigators interviewed Smith last spring and expected to complete the review by last summer, but the probe remains unresolved. One source told Reuters that political appointees asked that the OPR review be suspended.
Separate Criminal Inquiry And Responses
According to Reuters, the Justice Department has since opened a separate criminal investigation into Smith. Smith denies any wrongdoing. A department spokesperson and a representative for Smith declined to comment to Reuters.
Why it matters: If accurate, requests by political appointees to suspend an OPR review raise concerns about political influence over internal accountability mechanisms at the DOJ, particularly amid an exodus of watchdog staff and rising complaints.
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