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Former Trump Prosecutor J.P. Cooney Launches Congressional Bid in Virginia
Cooney, who was fired from Jack Smith's office, is running as a Democrat in a proposed new district.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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J.P. Cooney, a former prosecutor who worked under special counsel Jack Smith investigating former President Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for Congress in Virginia's proposed new Seventh District. Cooney was fired along with other lawyers in Smith's office shortly after Trump took office for a second term. The new district would stretch from Arlington to rural parts of the state and is expected to lean Democratic.
Why it matters
Cooney's candidacy represents a high-profile challenge to Trump and his allies, as the former prosecutor was involved in the criminal cases against the former president. His run also highlights the ongoing political battles over redistricting and election integrity in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
The details
In his announcement, Cooney said he is running as a Democrat and cited his work "taking on the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone and Peter Navarro" in the aftermath of Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. The proposed new district that Cooney is running in would lean Democratic, with over 58% of voters supporting the Democratic governor in the last election. However, the district map is still subject to approval by the state Supreme Court.
- Cooney announced his congressional bid on February 11, 2026.
- Cooney was fired from the Justice Department in January 2025 along with other prosecutors in Jack Smith's office.
The players
J.P. Cooney
A former federal prosecutor who worked under special counsel Jack Smith, investigating former President Donald Trump.
Jack Smith
The former special counsel who led the investigations into Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents.
Donald Trump
The former president who was the subject of the criminal investigations led by Jack Smith's office, including Cooney.
Abigail Spanberger
The Democratic governor of Virginia whose election victory last year is seen as an indicator of the political leanings of the proposed new congressional district.
What they’re saying
“I don't want my children, friends, or community to have any doubt about where I stand in this moment. Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Congress in Virginia's proposed new Seventh District.”
— J.P. Cooney (LinkedIn)
“Jack Smith told lawmakers in public testimony last month that his team found "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump took part in a "criminal scheme" to overturn the 2020 election results.”
— Jack Smith, Former Special Counsel (NBC News)
What’s next
The state Supreme Court will decide on whether the proposed congressional district map can move forward after a county circuit judge ruled that lawmakers could not bring the map to voters in April.
The takeaway
Cooney's candidacy represents a high-profile challenge to Trump and his allies, as the former prosecutor was involved in the criminal cases against the former president. His run also highlights the ongoing political battles over redistricting and election integrity in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
