Jack Smith Warns 2026 Election Threats May Exceed 2020, Urges State AGs to Act

Former special prosecutor Jack Smith says the next election could see worse interference than 2020, and calls on state attorneys general to prepare now.

Jack Smith, the former special prosecutor who brought federal charges against Donald Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, says he is 'very concerned' about what may happen in the next election — and believes the threat could be greater than what he prosecuted. Speaking with MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, Smith declined to say directly whether he expects Trump to repeat specific behaviors from the January 6 case, but warned that those involved in the Capitol attack 'probably learned from how they did that,' implying future efforts may be more sophisticated. Rather than focusing on the threat alone, Smith pivoted to what he believes should be done. He argued that state attorneys general hold 'a tremendous role' in protecting elections, urging them to ensure the rule of law functions within their states. He called on them to be proactive, ready to litigate, and to 'brainstorm every possible permutation' of potential election interference — explicitly telling them not to let reason be a limitation when imagining what could happen. Smith's comments come after his federal cases against Trump were dropped following Trump's return to the presidency, with the Justice Department citing longstanding policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Smith has since spoken publicly about his work and the broader implications of what he uncovered.

Why it matters

Smith's warning carries unusual weight given his direct role prosecuting Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. His call for state-level legal preparation signals that federal enforcement alone may not be sufficient to address future election interference.

What's next

Whether state attorneys general heed Smith's call to take proactive legal steps ahead of the 2026 midterms remains to be seen.

Key facts

• Jack Smith served as the federal special prosecutor who charged Trump in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and efforts to overturn the 2020 election
• Smith said he is 'very concerned' about what will happen in the next election, suggesting threats could be worse than in 2020
• He noted that January 6 participants 'probably learned from how they did that,' implying future efforts could be more organized
• Smith called on state attorneys general to be 'proactive' and 'ready to litigate everything' related to election integrity
• He urged state AGs to 'brainstorm every possible permutation' of interference and 'don't let reason be a limitation'
• Smith made the comments in an interview with MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace

Bias & framing notes

Both sources come from the same outlet, Crooks and Liars, a left-leaning political blog, which limits source independence. The framing is notably partisan — Trump is referred to as 'President Sore Loser' in the reporting — and the coverage focuses on the threat posed by Trump rather than presenting any alternative perspective. The core facts attributed to Smith, including his direct quotes, appear consistent across both pieces, but the editorializing language around them reduces overall reliability.

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