Trump says he would fire Jack Smith ‘within two seconds’ of becoming president

Ex-president makes clearest expression yet of intent to shut down two criminal cases brought against him by special counsel

Donald Trump said on Thursday he would order the immediate firing of the special counsel Jack Smith if he were re-elected in the November election in the clearest expression of his intent to shut down the two criminal cases brought against him.

The remarks from Trump, who remains in a tight race for the presidency against Kamala Harris with 12 days until the election, came in a conversation with the conservative podcast host Hugh Hewitt, who asked whether Trump would pardon himself or fire the special counsel.