Donald Trump special prosecutor spent over $9 million so far

Donald Trump special prosecutor spent over $9M so far.

Trump expressed outrage in a Truth Social post on Friday following the release of Department of Justice (DOJ) expenditure records showing that Smith’s investigations had cost a total of more than $9 million over the course of five months.

Those figures may dramatically underestimate Smith’s total spending since they only account for his activities through the end of March, excluding the period leading up to Trump’s unprecedented indictment in June as well as a significant escalation of the election-related probe. Smith impaneled a second grand jury in Florida shortly before issuing the charges against Trump.

The report also highlights the unusual nature of Smith’s investigations and the strong reactions they have generated. The $3.8 million figure includes the cost of security details for the special prosecutor, who has been seen flanked by agents as he commutes to and from his Washington office.

Smith’s statement of expenditures shows the special counsel has spent more than $5.4 million on compensations and benefits for personnel, travel, rent, supplies, printing and contractual services in the Trump probes.

Other DOJ agencies have incurred expenses totaling $3.8 million assisting Smith with his investigations into the 77-year-old former president, including by providing investigative support analysts and a security detail for the special counsel “when warranted,” the report states. 

The DOJ also released records regarding expenditures for Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation of classified documents found at President Joe Biden’s Delaware residence and former office, revealing that $1.17 million had been spent over the first two months.

Special Counsel Jack Smith incurred about $5.4 million in personnel, rent and other costs on his own budget and prompted about $3.8 million in spending by other Justice Department agencies in the roughly four months after he was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland last November to lead the classified documents probe as well investigations related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, according to figures DOJ released Friday.