BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — Federal officials have opened an investigation into Jack Smith , the former special counsel who investigated then-candidate Donald Trump before his reelection, for alleged illegal political activity.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel , an independent federal agency, on Saturday confirmed the investigation after reporting by other news organizations. Smith was named special counsel to investigate Trump by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022.

Trump and his Republican allies, including Sen. Tom Cotton, have — without offering evidence of wrongdoing— accused Smith of violating the Hatch Act , a federal law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity.

Smith prosecuted two federal cases against Republican candidate

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