President Trump slams ‘Empire’s’ Jussie Smollett dismissal: ‘Embarrassment to our nation; calls on FBI to investigate
The FBI is said to be reviewing the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of criminal charges against Jussie Smollett.
Jussie Smollett was cleared of 16 criminal charges against him, but it’s not an open and shut case as far as President Trump and the FBI’s concerned.
Jussie Smollett was cleared of 16 criminal charges against him, but it’s not an open and shut case as far as the FBI’s concerned.
On Wednesday, a probe was launched and the FBI is now reviewing how the Cook County prosecutors came to dismiss a 16-count felony indictment by a grand jury against the Empire star so easily, Chicago ABC affiliate WLS-TV reports.
—Jussie Smollett still not in the clear, FBI investigates letter sent to ‘Empire’—
More questions have been raised whether Smollett used his power and celebrity muscle to sway prosecutors, especially after it was reported State’s Attorney Kim Foxx fielded calls from Smollett’s family and a powerful friend, Tina Tchen, who was Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff.
The dropped case has upset Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Police chief who both were angered by the decision to drop a case that seemed to have a load of mounting evidence against Smollett.
Now President Donald Trump has even weighed in on the case tweeting:
“FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!”
FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2019
Foxx did recuse herself from the case. State’s attorney spokeswoman Keira Ellis said Foxx “informally separated herself from the decision-making over the case…in an abundance of caution.”
Foxx defended her office’s decision to drop the charges.
“Based on the facts and the evidence . . . this office believes that they could prove him guilty,” Foxx told WLS. But added, “I believe this is a just outcome based on the circumstances.”
—Michael Jordan turns down deal; client wanted him to say a silly phrase—
Smollett walks scot-free, record scrubbed and he forfeits his $10,000 bail and has to complete 16 hours of community service.
But First Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Magats, who dismissed the charges, said however, “I do not believe he is innocent.”
Smollett still has to wait for the outcome of the federal investigation into whether the homophobic and racist letter that was sent to him on the Empire set was authentic or a fake note.
The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are still investigating the letter that was sent three months ago to determine where it came from.
