John Luman Smith

John Luman Smith: A Career in Law and Justice John Luman Smith, born on June 5, 1969, is an American attorney known for his extensive career in public service. With a strong background in both domestic and international law, Smith has held key positions in the U.S. Department of Justice, including assistant U.S. attorney, acting U.S. attorney, and head of the Public Integrity Section. His expertise in prosecuting high-profile cases led to his appointment as the chief prosecutor at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, an international tribunal responsible for investigating war crimes from the Kosovo War. From November 18, 2022, until his resignation on January 10, 2025, he served as a Special Counsel for the Department of Justice, overseeing significant investigations into former President Donald Trump. Special Counsel Appointment and Investigations In November 2022, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as an independent special counsel to oversee two ongoing Justice Department investigations involving Donald Trump. These investigations focused on Trump’s role in the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack and his alleged mishandling of classified government documents. Smith’s appointment marked a pivotal moment in legal history. His work led to a groundbreaking indictment of Trump in June 2023, in which 37 counts were filed regarding the classified documents case. Additional charges followed in July. Then, in August 2023, Smith’s office filed another indictment against Trump, this time with four charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his actions on January 6, 2021. However, these cases faced significant legal hurdles. In July 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case, ruling that Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unlawful. Initially, his office sought to appeal the decision, but after Trump won the 2024 presidential election, they abandoned the appeal. Likewise, in November 2024, Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the election subversion case, citing a constitutional interpretation that prevented Trump, as President-elect, from being charged. Early Life and Education Smith was born and raised in Clay, New York, a suburb of Syracuse. His father worked as a draftsman specializing in air-conditioning systems, while his mother was a homemaker. He attended Liverpool High School, where he was active in sports, playing both football and baseball. He graduated in 1987. Smith pursued higher education at the State University of New York at Oneonta, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1991 with summa cum laude honors. His academic achievements led him to Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor cum laude in 1994. His time at Harvard helped shape his legal acumen, preparing him for a career focused on public integrity and justice. Legal Career Early Prosecution Work Following law school, Smith joined the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. During his tenure, he was part of the sex crimes and domestic violence units, where he prosecuted some of the most challenging cases. In 1999, he transitioned to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, where he tackled high-profile prosecutions. He played a crucial role in convicting police officers involved in the brutalization of Abner Louima and led the case against Ronell Wilson, a convicted murderer of two NYPD officers. His dedication to justice was evident in his aggressive prosecution style. On one occasion, he reportedly spent an entire weekend sleeping in an apartment building hallway to convince a key witness in a domestic violence case to testify. International Criminal Court and Public Integrity Section From 2008 to 2010, Smith took his expertise overseas, working for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. As an investigations coordinator, he was responsible for overseeing war crimes cases against government officials and militia leaders accused of genocide. His work at the ICC reinforced his reputation as a formidable prosecutor on the international stage. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2010, Smith was appointed chief of the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section. In this role, he was responsible for evaluating and prosecuting corruption cases involving public officials. Among his significant cases were the prosecutions of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, U.S. Representative Rick Renzi, and CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling. Under his leadership, McDonnell, Renzi, and Sterling were found guilty, although McDonnell's conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court. Further Roles and Kosovo Tribunal In 2015, Smith became an assistant U.S. attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee, based in Nashville. He later stepped into the role of acting U.S. attorney in 2017 following the resignation of his predecessor. However, he left the position later that year and briefly entered the private sector. Smith’s career took another international turn in 2018 when he was appointed chief prosecutor of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. This tribunal was responsible for prosecuting war crimes committed during the Kosovo War. Smith led cases against several individuals, including Salih Mustafa and Kosovo’s then-President, Hashim Thaçi. His work at The Hague was widely recognized for its commitment to justice and international law. Resignation as Special Counsel As Trump’s 2024 election victory became imminent, Smith faced increasing political pressure. In an October 2024 radio interview, Trump declared that he would fire Smith “within two seconds” if he returned to office. Just weeks before Trump’s official victory, reports surfaced that Smith planned to resign before Trump’s inauguration. On January 7, 2025, Smith submitted a report detailing his findings from the election subversion case to the U.S. Attorney General. A 137-page portion of the report was made public, though the section regarding the classified documents case remained undisclosed. Smith formally stepped down on January 10, 2025, marking the end of his tenure as special counsel. Awards and Recognitions Smith’s contributions to law and justice have earned him multiple awards, including: The U.S. Department of Justice Director’s Award The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service The Federal Bar Association’s Younger Federal Attorney Award The Eastern District Association’s Charles Rose Award The Henry L. Stimson Medal from the New York County Bar Association The Harvard Law School Wasserstein Fellowship These accolades reflect his decades of dedication to the pursuit of justice, both domestically and internationally. Personal Life and Interests Beyond his legal career, Smith is an accomplished athlete. He took up swimming in his mid-thirties and has since competed in over 100 triathlons, including at least nine Ironman competitions. His commitment to endurance sports reflects his relentless drive and discipline. In July 2011, Smith married documentary filmmaker Katy Chevigny, best known for Becoming, a documentary about Michelle Obama. The couple has one daughter. They resided in the Netherlands during Smith’s tenure at The Hague before relocating to Washington, D.C., in December 2022, following his appointment as special counsel. Legacy and Impact John Luman Smith’s career has been marked by high-profile prosecutions, a steadfast commitment to public integrity, and significant contributions to both national and international justice. His role as special counsel, particularly his investigations into Donald Trump, has left a lasting impact on American legal history. Whether through his work in public corruption cases, war crimes tribunals, or high-stakes political investigations, Smith has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to upholding the law.