The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said Saturday it has opened an investigation into former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith for possible violations of the Hatch Act, the federal law that limits political activity by government employees. The agency confirmed the inquiry after earlier press reports. Smith was appointed in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee two criminal cases against Donald Trump—one alleging efforts to overturn the 2020 election and another accusing the former president of improperly retaining classified documents. Both cases, filed in 2023, were dropped after Trump won the November 2024 election, and Smith resigned in January 2025. The watchdog acted after Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas asked it to examine whether Smith’s prosecutions were intended to influence the 2024 vote. While the Office of Special Counsel lacks criminal authority, it can impose administrative penalties or refer its findings to the Justice Department.