Trump Says If He Takes Office, He'll Fire Special Counsel Jack Smith 'Within 2 Seconds'

Washington: Donald Trump said Thursday that if he wins White House, he will fire special counsel Jack Smith within two seconds of taking office.

Trump was asked during an interview with conservative rio host Hugh Hewitt wher he would first pardon himself or terminate Smith to remove legal cloud hanging over him. Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, has charged former president over his efforts to overturn 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents.

It's so easy. I would fire him within two seconds, Trump responded. He'll be one of first things dressed.

Trump, who regularly assails Smith and has suggested before that he would fire him if he were president, called Smith a crooked person.

Trump, if elected, could order Justice Department to remove Smith. Trump probably would t be able to do it on his own because Smith is t a presidential appointee.

When Trump, while president, was investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller, Trump urged his n-White House counsel, Don McGahn, to press Justice Department to terminate Mueller. McGahn refused.

Smith has brought two federal cases against Trump. One, accusing him of illegally retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, was dismissed in July, a decision that Smith is appealing. or, charging him with plotting to overturn 2020 presidential election, has been delayed by a Supreme Court opinion conferring bro immunity for official acts me while president.

After Trump said he would fire Smith, Hewitt raised possibility that Congress could impeach Trump over that move. Trump said he did t believe that would happen.

I don't think y'll impeach me if I fire Jack Smith, Trump said. Jack Smith is a scoundrel.

Democrat Kamala Harris ' campaign has sought to use revelations from Smith's investigations into Trump against Republican candidate. y released an earlier this month that featured video from January 6, 2021, attack on Capitol and helines from Smith's investigation.

He knew what he was doing, shows on screen.

While Trump criticised Smith, he praised US District Judge Aileen Cann, Trump appointee who dismissed classified documents case against former president in July.

We h a brave, brilliant judge in Florida, Trump said. She's a brilliant judge, by way. I don't kw her. I never spoke to her. Never spoke to her. But we h a brave and very brilliant judge.