Trump says he'd fire Jack Smith within 'two seconds' of taking office
Former President Trump on Thursday said he would fire special counsel Jack Smith, who is handling the criminal cases against Trump, within "two seconds" of taking office if he wins in November.
"Oh it’s so easy. It’s so easy. He’s a crooked person," Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
"It’s so easy. I would fire him within two seconds," Trump added.
The former president said he was not concerned about the prospect of being impeached if he fired Smith if Democrats controlled the House.
"No, I don’t think they’ll impeach me if I fire Jack Smith," Trump said. "Jack Smith is a scoundrel. He’s a very dishonest man."
Smith was appointed in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the investigations into Trump. He has since brought charges against the former president and GOP nominee in Washington over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election and in Florida over his handling and retention of classified documents after leaving office.
Judge Aileen Cannon earlier this year tossed out the documents case against Trump, siding with Trump’s attorneys and concluded Smith’s appointment was not lawfully appointed. Cannon was nominated to the federal bench by Trump, who has praised her as "brilliant."
Trump was indicted on federal charges in Washington last year over his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election. Smith charged Trump with four counts, alleging he was the director of a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and was also central to a campaign to block the certification of votes on Jan. 6, 2021.
Smith has pushed forward with the case despite a Supreme Court ruling that presidents are immune from prosecution over official acts, arguing Trump’s efforts to thwart the transfer of power were the unlawful actions of a private citizen, not of a president.