![Feb 12, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; [CAPTION] during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nuccio DiNuzzo-USA TODAY Sports](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GettyImages-1131246352.jpg?w=804)
President Donald Trump announced Thursday morning that the FBI and Department of Justice are launching a probe into the Jussie Smollett case.
FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2019
Smollett was initially indicted on 16 felony counts related to an allegedly false police report from a staged hate crimes attack. All charges against him were abruptly dropped Tuesday.
Based on a press conference soon after, Chicago police and Mayor Rahm Emanuel still believe in Smollett’s guilt.
The details surrounding why Smollett’s fate changed so drastically are still murky.
