Civic term
Special Counsel
What it means
An attorney appointed to investigate a matter when the Justice Department concludes that handling it normally would present a conflict of interest, or that appointment is otherwise in the public interest. The regulations require the appointee to be selected from outside the U.S. government.
Definition drawn from law.cornell.edu · last verified 2026-08-17
Sift's plain-language summary of the cited source, not a quotation from it.
How it's being covered
100 stories in Sift's index, from 18 outlets.
Filed 2026-03-31 — 2026-09-25.
Counts stories whose headline or summary uses the term, plus stories where Sift's own reading notes flagged it — many pieces turn on a term they never spell out in the headline.
Across the spectrum
- Left23 stories
- Center23 stories
- Right54 stories
Positions are AllSides' published ratings, shown for the outlets that filed these stories.
Who's covering it
- Fox NewsLean Right 21
- Washington ExaminerLean Right 17
- The HillCenter 10
- CBS NewsLean Left 9
- The Daily CallerRight 6
- New York PostRight 5
- PBS NewsHourCenter 5
- ABC NewsLean Left 3
- AxiosCenter 3
- NPRCenter 3
- The Daily WireRight 3
- The GuardianLean Left 3
- The New York TimesLean Left 3
- CNBCCenter 2
- National ReviewRight 2
- PoliticoLean Left 2
- The Washington PostLean Left 2
- The AtlanticLean Left 1
Recent stories on Sift
Jack Smith to testify before Senate Judiciary next week
Jack Smith’s election interference wasn’t an accident. It was the strategy
Explosive new report puts Jack Smith back in hot seat as Jim Jordan alleges he tried to 'sway' 2024 election
House Republicans drop Jack Smith transcripts in explosive Arctic Frost records fight
Prosecutor brought in to lead investigation of Trump foes tells AP that he has resigned
Prosecutor leading probe into Trump foes resigns, vows investigation will continue
Prosecutor Joseph diGenova resigns from DOJ role investigating Trump-Russia probes
Jack Smith’s former deputies join anti-Trump legal advocacy organization
Sen Marshall calls for special counsel investigation into Anthony Fauci after COVID-19 vaccine texts
Jack Smith invited to testify before Senate Judiciary Committee next month
Sen. Chuck Grassley invites Jack Smith to testify before Senate Judiciary Committee
Jack Smith invited to testify before Senate next month