Following a night of pivotal wins across key battleground states, Donald Trump’s path back to the White House appears certain. As election results rolled in, states like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia leaned Republican, securing Trump a decisive electoral majority.

Now, with his return to office seemingly imminent, whispers of major shifts within the Department of Justice are beginning to surface — most notably, the expected removal of Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Smith, who played a significant role in prosecuting cases against Trump over recent years, has faced intense scrutiny from Trump’s supporters and the former president himself. Trump had previously vowed to remove Smith “within two seconds” of taking office. However, new sources indicate that Smith may not even be in his current role by the time Trump takes the oath on January 20th. According to Fox News insiders, Smith’s role as special counsel could end sooner, effectively closing ongoing investigations tied to Trump’s legal controversies.

The cases under Smith’s purview involve Trump’s alleged efforts to contest the 2020 election results, as well as the high-profile documents case, which has been on appeal following a prior dismissal by Judge Aileen Cannon last summer. The Justice Department’s long-standing policy, which prohibits prosecuting a sitting president, is also expected to shield Trump from future legal entanglements as he takes office. Analysts suggest that these factors combined may mean Smith’s departure and the formal close of these cases before Trump is inaugurated.

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Key cases like the local Georgia investigation into Trump’s 2020 election challenge are also expected to face mounting obstacles. Led by District Attorney Fani Willis, the case has already been plagued by delays and complications over the past year. With Trump poised to reclaim presidential immunity, experts predict even more challenges in sustaining such cases, especially those initiated at state and local levels.

Smith, a seasoned prosecutor with a reputation for handling high-stakes cases, was appointed as Special Counsel by the Department of Justice to oversee investigations into former President Trump. His portfolio has included two major cases: the documents case and an investigation into Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The documents case centers on Trump’s handling of classified materials post-presidency, with allegations that he retained sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Initially dismissed by Judge Cannon, the case has since seen appeals as the DOJ sought to press forward with the investigation.

The second, more politically charged case, examines Trump’s actions following the 2020 election, exploring whether he attempted to influence the election outcome. The investigation has touched upon Trump’s communication with officials in key states and his involvement in rallying supporters, culminating in the January 6 Capitol events. Smith’s role has been met with backlash from Trump and his allies, who criticize his investigations as politically motivated. Now, with Trump projected to return to office, many anticipate that Smith’s tenure as Special Counsel — along with his cases — could soon come to an end.

As Trump prepares to step back into the Oval Office, his legal controversies may soon be relics of the past, overshadowed by a new era under a familiar leader.