Jack Smith, the special counsel who led two federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, has resigned from the Justice Department, effective Friday. This news comes amid a disagreement over the release of his report regarding Trump’s classified documents case. According to a court filing, Smith "separated from the Department" on Friday, just ahead of Trump’s inauguration as president later this month.

Smith's departure marks the end of an era for the Special Counsel's Office, which was established in 2022 to oversee two Justice Department cases involving Trump. One case focused on the alleged improper hoarding of classified documents, while the other involved an alleged attempt to interfere with the 2020 election outcome. Both cases resulted in criminal charges against Trump, who pleaded not guilty and claimed the prosecutions were politically motivated. Despite the controversies, Smith's office closed these cases last year after Trump's presidential election victory, citing Justice Department regulations that prohibit the prosecution of a sitting president.

The dispute over Smith's report concerning the classified documents case has persisted for weeks. Trump's legal team has argued that Smith did not have the legal authority to submit the report, raising concerns about his appointment and alleged political motivations. A judge has temporarily blocked Smith and Attorney General Merrick Garland from releasing the report, pending an emergency appeal from Trump’s former co-defendants in the case. This has sparked questions about the transparency of the Justice Department and the independence of special counsels in conducting investigations.

Smith's resignation has led to speculation regarding the future of the Justice Department under the Trump administration. While Garland has promised to release all reports to the public, Trump’s attorneys have urged him to put an end to what they describe as the "weaponization of the justice system." The controversy surrounding Smith's report and his resignation is expected to persist in the coming weeks as the country prepares for Trump’s inauguration as president. Despite the challenges ahead, Smith’s legacy as a special counsel will be remembered for his determined efforts to hold those in power accountable for their actions.