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Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith gave a rare public statement on Friday after federal officials unsealed an indictment against former President Donald Trump.
In a remarks that lasted roughly 2 minutes, Smith framed the indictment as an important step for keeping the United States safe and protecting democracy.
“We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone,” Smith said. “Adhering to and applying the laws is what determines the outcome of an investigation. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Smith said his office would avoid speaking publicly about the case moving forward in order to retain its impartiality amid heated political attacks. Attorney General Merrick Garland was not present in the room, and Smith exited the stage without taking questions from reporters.
Georgetown Law professor Paul Butler, who previously worked with Smith in the DOJ unit that prosecutes public corruption, said Smith’s presentation Friday fits his reputation.
“[Smith] did kind of what the Company Man would do: He let the indictment speak for himself,” Butler told NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly. “He’s known as being an aggressive prosecutor, kind of a true believer in holding people accountable, and especially in bringing corrupt public officials to justice.
