The Justice Department's investigation into the presence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate will be overseen by a special counsel.
The move, being announced just three days after Trump officially launched his candidacy, is a recognition of the political implications of two investigations that involve a former president and a current White House hopeful.
According to Garland, the decision to appoint a special counsel was influenced by the announcement of Trump's presidential candidacy and the likely candidacy of Biden. Garland said that the appointment would allow prosecutors to continue their work based on the facts.
The special counsel will still report to Garland, who has ultimate say of whether to bring charges, despite the appointment of a new supervisor.
Jack Smith is a veteran prosecutor who served as the acting chief federal prosecutor in Nashville, Tennessee, during the Obama administration. He has been the chief prosecutor for the special court that is looking into international war crimes.
Smith was described as an independent by the Justice Department.
Garland said that the circumstances demanded it.
The investigation into whether anyone interfered with the transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election will be combined with the investigation into the classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
The representatives for Trump did not return calls.
There was no explanation for the decision. Garland has spoken of his singular focus on the facts, the evidence and the law in the Justice Department's decision-making and of his determination to restore political independence to the agency.
There is no obvious conflict like the one that led to the appointment of a special counsel. The investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign will be led by Robert Muller, the former FBI director.
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