On Friday, the US Department of Justice appointed an independent public prosecutor to oversee the criminal investigations of Donald Trump, three days after the former Republican President announced his candidacy for the presidential elections in 2024.
Justice Minister Merik Garland announced at a press conference in Washington the appointment of Jack Smith, who until recently was the great prosecutor in The Hague, who is charged with investigating war crimes in Kosovo.
Garland said that the naming of a special advisor is in the public interest, because both the Republican Donald Trump and his democratic successor Joe Biden pointed to their intention to run in 2024. However, Trump is the only one who officially announced his candidacy at this stage.
“Based on the recent developments, including the announcement of the former president, his candidacy for the presidency in the upcoming elections and the declared intention of the current president is also a candidate, as it was concluded that it is the public interest to appoint a special advisor,” Garland added.
Trump, who announced this week his intention to run for the presidential elections in 2024, is targeting several investigations by the Ministry of Justice.
He is under investigation on his role in attacking the Capitol headquarters last year, and his efforts to turn the results of the 2020 elections, and to conceal secret documents at his residence in Maralago.
In addition, the public prosecutor of the state of New York, Leticia James, filed a civil lawsuit against Trump and three of his sons, accusing them of commercial fraud.
But entering the race to the White House on Tuesday makes a more sensitive issue to him.
On the other hand, the appointment of an independent prosecutor to supervise the investigation would help grant Garland, which was appointed by Democratic President, Joe Biden, from this process in light of the accusations that investigation has political motives.
However, the Special Adviser will remain affiliated with the Minister of Justice, who will have the final word on whether charges should be charged.
Even if a Trump was charged, he will still be able to run for the presidency, as American law does not prevent any accused person or convicted of a crime from running.
When he was President of the United States, Trump was investigated by Special Counselor Robert Muller on obstructing the progress of justice and potential collusion with Russia as part of the elections, but no charge was charged against him.
Analysts in Washington considered that Trump’s early declaration of his candidacy for the presidential elections is an attempt to stave off the potential criminal charges against him..
About Author
