Staff Reports
Jack Smith’s lawfare saga against Donald Trump has officially flopped harder than a Hollywood blockbuster that’s had its budget spent on explosive special effects but no good script. In a shocking twist of fate, Smith made the move to officially drop his two attempts to prosecute the former president, pretty much confirming what Trump has been saying all along: It was all about sabotaging his 2024 run. Smith’s illustrious crusade to jail a political rival, it seems, has crumbled like a house of cards in a light breeze.
For the past year and a half, Smith grasped for any way to convict Trump before the American electorate had its say. He was so focused on nailing the ex-president that he likely forgot about the pesky little thing called due process. Despite his dramatic efforts, which included a broad claim of “election interference,” Smith only managed to raise a chorus of questions about the limits of presidential power. This gave Trump a perfect opening for an appeal, and as anticipated, the case fell flat on its face.
As if that wasn’t enough embarrassment for Smith, Judge Aileen Cannon threw out the separate case regarding classified documents. It turns out Smith, being an ordinary civilian and not some appointed superhero of justice, wasn’t exactly in a position to challenge a former president properly. Such setbacks would leave even the most hardened political warrior reeling. But not Smith—he seemed determined to chase a ghost that even the judge couldn’t take seriously.
In a last-ditch effort to maintain some semblance of dignity, Smith claimed that Department of Justice policies were the real reason behind his relentless pursuit of Trump. He suggested that it wasn’t that the charges lacked weight, but rather that the DOJ was bound by an unspoken rule against prosecuting sitting presidents. This excuse wouldn’t hold water in the politics of accountability. If his motives were not transparently tied to political gain, one might take his statements seriously. But alas, he padded his ego while walking back the charges, leaving observers chuckling.
As Smith retreats with his tail between his legs, Trump was quick to savor this re-routing of the justice train. He aptly described the entire debacle as “political hijacking”—an inescapable low point for a system that’s supposed to allow for fair competition. Meanwhile, the American public made their voice heard, delivering what can only be regarded as an unequivocal verdict. Thanks to the voters, America looks to avoid the slippery slope into banana republic territory, preserving whatever dignity remains of recent American politics. If only Smith had been as committed to justice as he was to political theater, the country might not have had to witness such a ridiculous spectacle.
