Middle Tennessee's Acting U.S Attorney Leaving Department Of Justice

NASHVILLE, TN — Jack Smith, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, announced he is leaving the Department of Justice.

Smith, who took over the role as the lead federal prosecutor for Middle Tennessee following the departure of David Rivera in the spring, has been with the DOJ for 16 years, including five years as head of the Public Integrity Section prior to joining Rivera's team in 2015.

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In June, President Donald Trump nominated Belmont University law professor Donald O. Cochran to replace Rivera permanently. Cochran awaits confirmation by the Senate. Smith will remain in the office until early September.

“This was one of the most difficult professional decisions that I have ever been faced with,” Smith said in a release. “I truly love representing the American people and seeking justice on their behalf. I will profoundly miss the close relationships I have developed with the exceptional public servants in our office, as well as the consummate professionals of our law enforcement community. While I am leaving the Department of Justice, I remain committed to our serving our community here in Nashville in other ways in the coming years.”

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