Jack Smith Says He’s ‘Very Concerned’ About Integrity of 2026 Elections

Former special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Donald Trump over classified documents and the 2020 elections, warned MS NOW about the upcoming midterm elections, as Trump continues to cast doubts on election integrity.

Host Nicolle Wallace asked Smith, “Do you agree that we are covering in real-time an assault on our elections, the upcoming ones?”

“I’m very concerned of what’s going to happen in the next election, absolutely,” Smith replied.

“Do you see again, in things that are covered and things that are public facing conduct ahead of the midterms that you investigated…in the January 6th case?” Wallace asked.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about it more in terms of what needs to be done based on what we saw happen last time. And, you know, it’s a different situation now based on, you know, the people who perpetrated January 6th have probably learned from how they did that,” Smith said. “My personal view is, I think the state attorney generals have a tremendous role to play here. They can make sure the rule of law functions in their state.”

Smith continued:

And I would also say that I think a thing that all of us can do is support election workers and election officials. The last time around, we saw that those people stood firm and they were, in many cases, the difference. It’s clear to me anyway, that what I’ve seen publicly, is that those people are going to be put under great pressure. And my experience not only just as special counsel, but, you know, I was the chief of the public integrity section at the Department of Justice for five years, had a number of cases with election officials. These are people also, they’re not doing their own horn. They’re not self-promoters. They just care about our democracy. We need to show them that we have their back. I think those two things are central to getting ready for the elections that are coming up.

Wallace asked what Smith’s advice would be to the state attorneys general.

“I would be ready to litigate everything,” Smith said. “I would brainstorm, and I think they are. I get that sense. Every possible permutation, and don’t let reason be a limitation. Imagine everything that could possibly be tried.”

“That Trump will do?” Wallace asked.

“Yeah, and I also think it’s important for them to be proactive and, you know, initiate litigation where it’s appropriate and where it would make sense too if you have a sense or reason to believe that something’s going to be done to interfere with people’s right to vote and participate in democracy,” Smith said.

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