GOP Chair Accuses Special Counsel of Violating Ethics, Attempting to Influence Election

House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik has filed an ethics complaint against special counsel Jack Smith, accusing him of violating Department of Justice standards and trying to tip the election against former President Trump.

In a letter sent to the DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility, Stefanik urged the government watchdog to investigate Smith over accusations of "abusing the resources of the federal government to unlawfully interfere with the 2024 presidential election."

Stefanik alleged that Smith's multiple attempts to rush to trial the federal January 6th case against Trump violated long-standing DOJ policy prohibiting actions that could influence elections. She also cited Smith's repeated violations of a court stay of proceedings as a "lawless breach of trial ethics and lawyerly conduct."

Stefanik argued that Smith's attempt to set a trial date for January 2, 2024, was intended to influence the election, as the immense volume of evidence in the case would normally preclude such a speedy trial.

"The only reason to push for such an early trial date was to work to get the case tried before the November election, and the Justice Department Manual clearly forbids Jack Smith from taking any action on that basis," she wrote.

Stefanik also pointed to Smith's petitions to the Supreme Court and his own comments in court that "no American is above the law" as evidence that he should support an investigation into his conduct.

"If that is true, then he should be open to, and welcome, an ethics investigation into conduct that, on its face, implicates potential violations of DOJ policy and multiple rules of professional conduct," Stefanik said.

The complaint comes as the Supreme Court weighs Trump's immunity claims in the January 6th case. A final decision is expected in June, with the likelihood of a trial before the presidential election being slim.

Fox News Digital reached out to the DOJ for comment, but no response was immediately available.

The special counsel's investigation stems from accusations that Trump tried to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The case has been stuck in limbo as the Supreme Court considers Trump's immunity claims.

Stefanik's complaint is the latest in a series of attacks by Republicans on Smith, who they accuse of being biased against Trump. They have called for his recusal from the January 6th investigation.

Smith has defended his actions, saying he is simply following the facts and the law. He has also said he is not influenced by politics.

The Justice Department has a long history of taking a neutral approach to political matters, and it remains to be seen whether Smith's investigation will be influenced by political considerations.

The outcome of the Supreme Court's decision on Trump's immunity claims is also uncertain. If the court rules that Trump is not immune to prosecution, he could face criminal charges related to the January 6th Capitol attack. However, if the court rules that Trump is immune, the special counsel's investigation could be effectively halted.

The Supreme Court's decision and the outcome of the special counsel's investigation will have major implications for the 2024 presidential election. If Trump is charged and convicted, he could be ineligible to run for president again. If he is not charged or is acquitted, he could be a formidable candidate in the Republican primary.