WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has launched an investigation into former Special Counsel Jack Smith and whether he violated the Hatch Act when he started looking into President Donald Trump's criminal cases, according to NBC News.

The Hatch Act "limits certain political activities of federal employees, as well as some state, D.C., and local government employees who work in connection with federally funded programs."

Smith was appointed special counsel in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, three days after Trump announced his campaign for the 2024 election. His cases brought two criminal indictments against Trump in 2023 for the mishandling of classified documents and the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Smith ultimately resigned just over one week after Trump's inauguration in 2024, before the cases could reach trial.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on Wednesday called for the OSC to investigate Smith's “unprecedented interference in the 2024 election.”

“Jack Smith’s legal actions were nothing more than a tool for the Biden and Harris campaigns,” Cotton wrote on X. “This isn’t just unethical, it is very likely illegal campaign activity from a public office.”

Cotton alleges that Smith "pushed for an out-of-the-ordinary, rushed trial" for Trump.

Smith defended his actions in a final report published in January, saying that he stands fully behind his decision to bring criminal charges he believes would have resulted in a conviction had voters not returned Trump to the White House.

“While we were not able to bring the cases we charged to trial, I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters," Smith wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland attached to the report. "I believe the example our team set for others to fight for justice without regard for the personal costs matters.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month fired at least 20 prosecutors and support staff who assisted in Smith's investigations.

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.