**Jack Smith Resigns as Special Counsel Amid Trump Investigations**

Smith's resignation raises questions about the future of the investigations and legal actions surrounding Trump’s alleged misconduct.

Jack Smith, the special counsel who oversaw pivotal federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, has formally resigned from the Justice Department, a decision finalized just before the president-elect is set to take office later this month. A court filing on Friday confirmed Smith's separation from the department.

In November, reports indicated that his resignation was anticipated upon the completion of his investigations into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and attempts to manipulate the 2020 election results. Both cases led to criminal charges against Trump, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, describing the legal actions as politically charged.

Smith's departure comes during ongoing deliberations about the release of his investigative report concerning Trump’s classified documents, a matter that remains contentious. Assigned to his role in 2022, Smith had aimed to ensure accountability through both of the criminal cases but saw them close without proceeding to trial due to the prohibitions against prosecuting a sitting president.

According to CBS, Smith's early resignation was strategically planned to avoid a dismissal from either Trump or the new attorney general once the transition occurs. His exit means the investigations, though they resulted in charges, will not reach court during his tenure.

Adding to the intrigue, earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily prohibited Smith from sharing findings related to the classified documents case. This decision followed appeals from Trump’s co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, who also face charges and argued that Smith lacked proper authority in his appointment.

With regards to Trump, who received a sentencing related to hush money payments that spared him from jail or fines, questions linger about the implications of his ongoing legal battles as he prepares for a return to office. His attorneys have insisted that Smith's reports stemmed from a flawed and politically motivated investigation, urging the Justice Department to refrain from releasing any documentation.

With Smith's departure, the landscape of Trump's legal adversities has shifted, igniting further speculation about how these cases will evolve in the political arena.