Smartmatic has filed court papers alleging that federal criminal charges against it represent a politically motivated counterattack by the Trump administration. The London-based voting technology company, already suing Fox News and Trump allies for defamation, claims the October indictment is part of President Trump's "campaign of retribution" against perceived enemies who challenged his claims about the 2020 election.

In its filing, Smartmatic argues the Justice Department's money laundering and bribery charges are timed to undermine its ongoing defamation lawsuits. The company points to the administration's selective enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, noting that while the Biden administration declined to charge Smartmatic, the Trump administration pursued the case after the company sued Trump allies. Fox News has already cited the criminal case as grounds to delay the defamation lawsuit.

This case exemplifies the expanding legal battles over election integrity, with Smartmatic caught between defamation claims and criminal prosecution. The company's allegations mirror other recent cases where defendants argue they were targeted for unfair prosecution by the Trump administration. A judge has already dismissed similar vindictive prosecution claims in cases involving former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, though those rulings focused on procedural issues rather than the merits of the retaliation argument.