Special counsel Jack Smith’s move to dismiss Donald Trump’s two federal indictments has sparked finger-pointing from those eager to see the president-elect held to account, with critics airing their frustrations at the Department of Justice and the courts for the anti-climactic end to the case.

The multi-year investigations and prosecutions of Trump that dominated headlines came to a close with a simple two-page order from a judge as prosecutors pointed to Trump’s coming inauguration and DOJ policy that bars the prosecution of sitting presidents.

The low-key end to a case that otherwise threatened jail time for Trump prompted some to criticize the department – resurfacing tension over whether DOJ moved swiftly enough in the case.

“The Justice Dept and the court system failed to uphold the principle that no one is above the law. DOJ by neglecting to promptly investigate the events of Jan 6, and the courts by willfully delaying progress of the case and providing immunity,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who served on the now-disbanded Jan. 6 committee, wrote on X shortly after Smith filed his motion on Monday.

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who served as a staffer to the panel before entering Congress, defended Smith’s impartiality but also criticized the pace of prosecutors and the courts.

“While this outcome might have been avoided if Attorney General Garland had initiated the investigations sooner or if the Supreme Court had not excessively delayed its ruling, the net result of today’s actions is that Donald Trump will escape accountability for violations of law alleged in great detail by two grand juries – placing Trump squarely above the law,” he said in a statement.

DOJ was always up against a clock in investigating Trump.

Trump had established a reputation for seeking delay in court cases, and his intention to seek reelection raised the prospect of activity bumping into an election season Trump could win.

“This risk was entirely foreseeable. It was foreseeable all the way back in 2021,” said Ankush Khardori, a former federal prosecutor who expressed concern over the........

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