Stefanik files complaint against Special Counsel Jack Smith alleging election interference

Staunch Trump ally and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik has filed an ethics complaint against Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is pursuing former President Donald Trump in two separate federal cases as the 2024 election fast approaches. 

In her letter to the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility, Stefanik says Smith has abused the resources of the federal government to "unlawfully interfere with the 2024 presidential election" by seeking to rush the trials and violating a court-ordered stay. 

"It’s obvious to any reasonable observer that Jack Smith is trying to interfere with the 2024 election and stop the American people from electing Donald Trump," Stefanik said in a statement. "At every turn, he has sought to accelerate his illegal prosecution of President Trump for the clear (if unstated) purpose of trying him before the November election. The Justice Department’s own policies clearly prohibit Smith from doing so, and as a DOJ employee he is bound by those policies."

The New York lawmaker also called for disciplinary action, saying, "Moreover, when the district court imposed a stay on the proceedings, Smith and his office ignored it and continued to file discovery documents."

DOJ usually adheres to a "60-day rule" to avoid any actions that could influence an election, however, this is informal and not enumerated in DOJ policies. Special Counsel Smith has previously claimed that the 60-day norm only applies to opening an investigation, not ongoing court proceedings.