DOJ discloses cost of Jack Smith’s special counsel investigation to taxpayers.

Special Counsel Investigation into Former President Trump Costs Taxpayers Over $9 Million

A special counsel investigation to taxpayers.”>newly released government report on Friday revealed that special counsel Jack Smith’s wide-ranging investigation into former President Donald Trump has cost taxpayers over $9 million since his appointment last year.

According to the report, Smith’s team has incurred approximately $5.4 million in rent, personnel, and other costs. Additionally, other Justice Department (DOJ) agencies have incurred $3.8 million in “component expenses” over a four-month period.

The report, released by the DOJ, stated, “Although not legally required, DOJ components that support the [Smith special counsel office] were asked to track non-reimbursed expenditures attributable to this investigation, which includes hours worked by agents and investigative support analysts, as well as the cost of protective details for the Special Counsel when warranted. The expenditures for this period totaled $3,818,818.”

Comparison to Other Special Counsel Investigations

In comparison, special counsel John Durham’s investigation into the origins of the controversial FBI Crossfire Hurricane probe cost about $1 million in the same time period. Special counsel Robert Hur’s probe has cost approximately $600,000, according to reports. Meanwhile, former special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, which ultimately did not reveal any collusion between Mr. Trump and the Russian government, cost a staggering $32 million upon its conclusion.

Months after Smith’s appointment, Attorney General Merrick Garland named Robert Hur to head the investigation into the handling of classified documents found at President Joe Biden’s home and private office. A report issued by the DOJ showed that Hur spent most of his expenses on employee pay.

Overall Costs of Durham’s Investigation

Overall, John Durham’s team spent about $9.4 million over several years, starting in late 2020 after then-Attorney General Bill Barr named him to head the investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe and collusion narrative. Durham’s work ended in May after releasing a significant, 300-page report that criticized the FBI’s leadership for approving the investigation into Mr. Trump. However, no charges were filed against any current employees at the FBI or DOJ, and no one was fired.

Despite the high costs, Durham’s investigation resulted in only one guilty plea from a former FBI lawyer who admitted to falsifying an email about a surveillance warrant for a former Trump aide. Prosecutions against a Democratic campaign lawyer, Michael Sussmann, and Igor Danchenko, a source for a controversial and widely discredited dossier, ended in acquittals.

Last month, Jack Smith presented charges against Donald Trump, alleging that the former president mishandled classified documents and made false statements to a grand jury, resulting in his indictment. Smith’s office claimed that Trump misled federal officials.