Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed to investigate former President Donald J. Trump, is an experienced and hard-working prosecutor known for his success in high-profile cases against politicians in the United States and other countries.
He was chosen by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland to oversight two investigations into Mr. Trump, one involving the 2020 election, and the other around the retention of classified materials at Mr. Trump’s residence in Florida.
Mr. Smith, 54, was described by Mr. Garland as an even-handed and urgent choice to investigate these matters.
Although Mr. Trump and Republicans have accused the Justice Department of politically motivated investigations, Mr. Smith is known for conducting fair investigations without leaks or media attention.
A Federal Prosecutor in New York City
Born on June 5, 1969, in Clay, N.Y., Jack Smith graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta before pursuing a degree in law at Harvard.
He worked as a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney’s office in the 1990s, before moving to the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn. During his decade-long career in Brooklyn, he rose to supervisory positions, overseeing the prosecution of cases involving financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and gangs.
Mr. Smith also worked closely with Marshall Miller, currently the top adviser to Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, on the brutal assault case of a Haitian immigrant named Abner Louima by police officers in Brooklyn in 1997. Mr. Miller recommended Mr. Smith to Mr. Garland for his independence and aggressiveness.
A Triathlete Around the World
An avid runner and cyclist, Jack Smith has competed in over 100 triathlons around the world since 2002. He took on a full Iron Man triathlon in Germany, Brazil, Canada, and Denmark, and has confronted physical and health challenges along the way. In the 2000s, he was hit by a truck while biking and suffered a severe hip fracture. Despite that, he continued to pursue his passion for the sport and complete the tests.
The Prosecutor of Public Corruption Cases
Jack Smith led the Justice Department’s public integrity unit from 2010 to 2015 that investigates public figures and politicians accused of corruption.
He initially faced challenges when he joined the unit, which had suffered from the collapse of a criminal case against former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens. Smith closed several prominent investigations into members of Congress without filing any charges. Although critics accused him of cowardice, Jack Smith had a reputation as a prosecutor who made decisions quickly without hesitation.
He led several notable cases involving public corruption, such as the conviction of Robert McDonnell, the former Republican governor of Virginia, and of former Representative Rick Renzi, Republican of Arizona.
The Prosecution of War Crimes in Kosovo
Before being selected as special counsel, Jack Smith served at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, overseeing the prosecution of war crimes in the Kosovo conflict in the late 1990s.
He expressed regret at missing the Hashim Thaci trial, the former president of Kosovo accused of war crimes who had been a defendant in Mr. Smith’s last case there.
A Stripped-down Management Style
Mr. Smith assembled a team, including career prosecutors and trusted aides, to investigate Mr. Trump.
Department veterans have said that the depiction of Mr. Smith as an intrepid prosecutor eager to bring charges is inaccurate. He is committed to making decisions impartially and without delay.
Former colleagues have praised Mr. Smith’s leadership style for prioritizing quickly gathering enough information to make a charging decision.
