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The US Justice Department on Friday named an independent prosecutor to oversee criminal investigations into Donald Trump, three days after the former president announced a new White House run in 2024. Trump called the appointment “political” and “unfair”.
The move sets up the prospect of a drawn-out legal battle, with Trump likely to claim he is being targeted by the administration of Joe Biden to prevent him winning back the presidency.
At a press conference in Washington, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of Jack Smith, until recently a chief prosecutor in The Hague charged with investigating Kosovo war crimes.
Biden was not given advance notice of Smith’s appointment, the White House said on Friday.
Garland said naming a special counsel was in the public interest, because both the Republican…
