The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has officially opened an investigation into Jack Smith for possible violations of the Hatch Act related to his investigations of former President Donald Trump.
True
ABC News: The U. S. Office of Special Counsel has opened an investigation into Jack Smith for possible Hatch Act violations… for investigating Trump.
Justice Dept. fires more prosecutors, support staff involved in Trump prosecutions, AP sources say - AP News
Source: apnews.com
At a glance
Verified August 2, 2025Key Evidence
NBC News, CNBC, The Hill, and other reputable outlets report that the OSC investigation into Jack Smith is active and concerns possible Hatch Act violations tied to his prosecutorial conduct involving Trump.
The New York Post first reported the probe, which was subsequently confirmed by multiple independent sources.
Senator Tom Cotton's request for the investigation is also documented in these reports.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple credible news sources from August 2025 confirm that the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), an independent federal agency, has launched a formal investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who oversaw criminal investigations into Donald Trump. The investigation concerns potential violations of the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from engaging in political activities.
This probe was reportedly initiated following a complaint and political pressure from GOP Senator Tom Cotton, who accused Smith of unprecedented interference in the 2024 election. The investigation is ongoing and reflects heightened political tensions surrounding Smith's role in prosecuting Trump-related cases. The Hatch Act inquiry focuses on whether Smith's actions crossed legal boundaries regarding political neutrality expected of government officials.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source