Part 3/9:
Hoenig emphasized that if Garland had acted more swiftly—ideally appointing Smith in April 2021—there may have been a different outcome. With such a timeline, it is conceivable that indictments could have occurred by mid-2022, allowing ample time for trials to take place before the 2024 election. However, as history unfolded with Smith's appointment, he faced significant challenges that complicated any attempts at expeditious legal proceedings.