In a blow to Special Prosecutor Jack Smith's case against former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court has ruled against his efforts in two pending cases, setting back the trial schedule and raising questions about the legal merits of the charges. These recent setbacks add to Smith's already checkered legal track record.

The first setback came on Monday when the high court ruled that presidents enjoy limited immunity for official presidential actions. This ruling has significant implications for Smith's case, as he had charged Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The court's decision raises questions about the extent to which a former president can be held legally responsible for his actions while in office.

Another blow to Smith's case came on Friday when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Jan. 6 defendant charged with obstruction for his involvement in the 2021 Capitol riot. This ruling further weakened Smith's prosecution strategy and undermined the legal basis for charging Trump with obstruction.

Critics have accused Smith of being a hyper-aggressive prosecutor who overcharges in order to pressure defendants into accepting plea deals. Constitutional attorney John Shu pointed out that Smith has a reputation for stretching the meaning and intent of the law to achieve his conviction and sentencing goals. Shu also noted that the Supreme Court's decision was predictable, given its precedent on obstruction provisions, and criticized the injection of politics into criminal law prosecutions.

Smith's previous high-profile losses include the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell on corruption charges, which was unanimously overturned by the Supreme Court in 2016. The court's ruling raised concerns about the power of criminal prosecutors and its implications for the separation of powers. Smith also faced a decisive loss in the prosecution of former senator and Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, who was acquitted of several felony violations of federal campaign finance laws. Additionally, Smith's prosecution of Sen. Bob Menendez on corruption charges resulted in a mistrial.

It is worth noting that Smith served under former President Barack Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder, leading the DOJ's Public Integrity Section from 2010 to 2015. However, these recent setbacks in the Trump-related cases have raised questions about Smith's ability to successfully prosecute high-profile cases.

At this time, there has been no comment from Special Prosecutor Jack Smith or his representative regarding the Supreme Court rulings. These setbacks have undoubtedly complicated Smith's case against former President Trump and highlighted the challenges he faces in proving the alleged involvement in the Capitol riot and interference in the 2020 election. As the legal battle continues, the outcome remains uncertain, and the implications could have far-reaching effects on future prosecutions of high-profile political figures.