In a significant development, renowned prosecutor Jack Smith, known for taking down criminals in The Hague and mob bosses in Manhattan, is now facing one of his toughest tests as he oversees the case against former US President Donald Trump. Smith, a 54-year-old bearded, avid triathlon-racer, has built a remarkable career prosecuting drug gang leaders, mob bosses, and handling complex corruption cases against US politicians. He left his role as chief prosecutor for a special court in The Hague investigating war crimes in Kosovo to become the special counsel in Mr. Trump's case last November.

Merrick Garland, the US attorney general, appointed Smith as a special counsel due to the "particularly sensitive" circumstances involved in investigating a former US president. As a special counsel, Smith enjoys an extra layer of independence from the Department of Justice (DOJ) compared to regular prosecutors. This independence ensures that he can conduct the investigation without any potential biases or interference.

Smith's current focus is on multiple aspects of the case against Trump. Alongside investigating the former president's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and his role in the Capitol attack, Smith is also delving into Trump's activities after leaving the White House. Speaking about the Capitol attack, Smith described it as an "unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy" that was "fueled by lies" propagated by Trump.

Smith's appointment as special counsel comes with a reputation for being an impartial investigator. As a registered independent, he has expressed few political beliefs that might indicate any bias. Moreover, he has gained recognition for his determination in seeking justice, whether it involves pursuing convictions against the guilty or dropping charges for the innocent.

In a recent address from the Department of Justice, Smith briefly discussed the indictment related to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election result. He emphasized that the indictment, issued by a grand jury in the District of Columbia, provides a detailed account of the crimes charged. Smith encouraged everyone to read the indictment in full. Despite Trump's denial of any wrongdoing and claims of political persecution, Smith affirmed that Trump is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. He also mentioned that his office would seek a speedy trial to present their evidence, which will be judged by a jury of citizens.

As the case progresses, Trump has been ordered to appear in federal court in Washington on Thursday. This story is developing, and updates are expected.