Darin Smith
OfficeUnited States Attorney for the District of Wyoming
StatusInterim
Term startAugust 11, 2025
PresidentDonald Trump
PredecessorStephanie Sprecher (acting)
State senate 1Wyoming
District 16th
Term start 1January 6, 2025
Term end 1August 11, 2025
Predecessor 1Anthony Bouchard
Successor 1Taft Love
PartyRepublican
Birth placeLaramie, WY
OccupationLawyer, politician
EducationUniversity of Wyoming (BA, JD)
SpouseAlicia Short[1]

Darin Dale Smith is an American attorney and politician who is the interim United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming since 2025. He is a former member of the Wyoming Senate from the 6th district.[2] A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2024 after being endorsed by Donald Trump.[3] He was later appointed by Trump as interim U.S. Attorney in August 2025[4] before being confirmed by the Senate on May 18, 2026.[5] He worked as an executive at the Christian Broadcasting Network for 11 years and was a candidate for Wyoming's at-large congressional district in 2016 and 2022.[6][7]

Before his interim appointment by Trump, Smith had no prior prosecutorial experience. In May 2026, a panel of three federal judges threw out nine indictments due to prosecutorial misconduct by Smith.[5][8] Despite the misconduct, the Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Smith shortly thereafter.[5] According to The New York Times, Smith's appointment was an example of Trump's politicization of the Justice Department, hiring inexperienced loyalists.[5]

Early life and education

Smith was born in Laramie, Wyoming, and was raised in Rock Springs.[2] He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1996, where he was on the wrestling team and was an Honorable Mention Academic All-American in 1994 and 1995.[9] Smith received a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 2000.[2]

Personal life

Smith is a Christian. He is married to Alicia Smith. Together they have five children. One of his sons attends the United States Naval Academy and another son attends the United States Military Academy.[9][dead link]

References

  1. ^ Eagle, Jasmine Hall Wyoming Tribune (December 6, 2021). "LCSD1 parents push back against mask mandate, alleged censorship". Wyoming Tribune Eagle
  2. ^ "Legislator Profile". Wyoming Legislature. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  3. ^ "'He will never let you down!': Trump endorses candidate for SD 6 Darin Smith". Yahoo News. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ^ "Darin Smith is Wyoming’s new U.S. district attorney". Wyoming Public Radio. 2025-08-17. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. ^ Feuer, Alan (2026-05-26). "As Trump Politicizes Justice Dept., Prosecutors Struggle With Grand Juries". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331
  6. ^ "Rock Springs Native Darin Smith Launches Congressional Campaign". Sweetwater NOW. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Darin Smith". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Judges toss charges against 9 over US Attorney Darin Smith’s ‘deeply concerning’ misconduct". AP News. 2026-05-18.
  9. ^ "About". Darin Smith For WY. Retrieved 2024-12-12.