Sources told the New York Times that Smith is now attempting to “get ahead” of Trump’s threats to fire him “within two seconds” of his first day in office by stepping down as special counsel before the president-elect enters the White House in January.

Smith's federal criminal cases against Trump were upended by the election, as the Justice Department's longstanding policy is that sitting presidents can't be charged with crimes.

The prosecutor who investigated and charged Donald J. Trump plans to finish his report and leave the job before he can be fired.