Why Prosecutors Shouldn’t Target Just One Person: Rep. Brad Knott Exposes Flawed Approach in Trump Case
By Jim Thomas | Saturday, January 24, 2026
Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., has raised concerns over the structure of a conspiracy case that resulted in charges against only President Donald Trump. Knott, a former federal prosecutor and attorney, described the approach as “very unusual,” stating that prosecutors typically build such cases by starting with lower-level defendants and working upward.
In an interview, Knott noted for the first time observing how former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith conducted his investigations. He argued that Smith “used his microphone to cast a very public narrative that simply was never supported by the facts or the charges brought against the president.”
Knott emphasized that the effort appears to be an attempt to target one individual—specifically President Trump. He warned such tactics must not be repeated, stating, “we need to prevent that from ever happening again.”
The Republican representative questioned Smith’s methodology, noting that if the case was as significant as described, prosecutors would have charged multiple individuals rather than just one. Knott suggested Smith targeted Donald Trump because he was “on the verge of winning the White House again,” implying a political motive.
