Laurence Tribe on Smith:

If a special counsel was to be appointed, I can think of no one better suited than Jack Smith. Vast experience prosecuting public corruption cases., treacherous national security violations, and crimes against humanity. Absorbs complex facts instantly. Perfect for Donald Trump.

Andrew Weissman:

Jack Smith, the new Special Counsel, is a very aggressive prosecutor who represents the very best of the Department, who will bring charges if warranted by facts and law.

Merrick Garland doesn’t need to appoint a special counsel for political cover. Garland appointed the special counsel to be transparent, and what that transparency suggests is that Donald Trump is a lot closer to being criminally prosecuted than he was a month ago. Trump knows this which is why he moved his 2024 announcement up.