Jack Smith Stands Firm on Trump Charges in Tense Capitol Hill Hearing/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former special counsel Jack Smith testified publicly before Congress, defending his decisions to prosecute Donald Trump in two major cases. Republican lawmakers accused Smith of political motives, while Democrats emphasized rule of law. Smith insisted the evidence supported criminal charges, regardless of Trump’s political status.
Congressional Hearing Quick Looks
- Jack Smith testifies publicly before House Judiciary Committee on Trump investigations.
- Smith stands by his decision to charge Trump in election and documents cases.
- Republicans call the investigations politically motivated; Democrats focus on legal accountability.
- Smith: “No one is above the law.”
- DOJ has since dismissed charges due to Trump’s reelection.
- Smith denounces firing of DOJ staffers as retaliatory.
- He affirms Trump as the central figure in Jan. 6 conspiracy.
- Republicans probe Smith’s review of GOP lawmakers’ phone records.
- Trump-appointed judge continues to block release of Mar-a-Lago report.
- Smith: Cases followed DOJ rules, legal standards, and facts.
Deep Look: Jack Smith Stands Firm on Trump Charges in Tense Capitol Hill Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former special counsel Jack Smith faced a storm of political scrutiny on Thursday as he delivered public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, defending his role in leading two high-profile criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump.
In a hearing split sharply along partisan lines, Republicans pressed claims that the investigations were politically motivated, while Democrats sought to highlight the gravity of Trump’s alleged actions during and after the 2020 presidential election.
“It was always about politics,” said Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), echoing Trump’s long-held view that the investigations were meant to derail his 2024 campaign.
“Maybe for them,” fired back Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the committee’s ranking Democrat. “But for us, it’s all about the rule of law.”
Smith: “I’d Do It Again”
In his testimony, Smith firmly stood by his decisions as special counsel, which included filing criminal charges against Trump for:
- Conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results, and
- Mishandling and hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity,” Smith told the committee. “If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so, regardless of political affiliation.”
Smith emphasized that the law must apply equally to all citizens, including former presidents:
“No one should be above the law in our country.”
Charges Dropped After Trump’s Reelection
Smith was appointed in 2022 under President Biden’s Justice Department. However, following Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, the DOJ dropped both cases, citing long-standing legal precedent that sitting presidents cannot be indicted.
Despite the cases being dismissed, Smith told lawmakers that the investigations were fact-based, apolitical, and handled according to Justice Department policy.
“We took actions based on the facts and the law,” he said. “The evidence made clear that President Trump was the most responsible party in a criminal conspiracy.”
Jan. 6 and Trump’s Central Role
Smith’s remarks included a stark assessment of Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol riot, which was part of the broader election interference case.
“These crimes were committed for his benefit,” Smith testified. “The attack on the Capitol does not happen without him.”
He also reiterated that Trump’s co-conspirators were acting on his behalf, calling the former president the “most culpable” figure in the events leading to the riot.
Retaliation Against DOJ Staff
The hearing also touched on Trump’s post-reelection retaliation campaign, in which multiple Justice Department staffers who worked under Smith were fired.
Smith defended his former team:
“In my opinion, these people are the best of public servants… we are all less safe because many of these experienced and dedicated law enforcement professionals have been terminated.”
He called the dismissals a blow to the DOJ’s credibility and warned of the long-term effects of politicizing the Justice Department.
GOP Targets Investigative Tactics
Republicans questioned Smith about the scope of his investigation, including his team’s analysis of phone records from several GOP lawmakers who communicated with Trump on January 6, 2021.
Smith clarified that the data did not include call contents but only metadata—details such as participants and call duration—used to establish timelines.
While Republicans called the review an overreach, Smith defended it as necessary to build a comprehensive understanding of Trump’s actions during the Capitol attack.
Classified Documents Probe Still Under Seal
Smith was limited in what he could say about the classified documents case, as the final report remains under seal by order of Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed federal judge in Florida.
Trump’s legal team this week filed a motion to permanently block the report’s release.
What’s Next?
While the criminal cases are no longer active, Smith’s testimony has rekindled debate over accountability, presidential immunity, and the integrity of U.S. legal institutions.
Democrats signaled they may push for the sealed report’s release, while Republicans vowed further scrutiny of Smith’s conduct.
As 2026 unfolds, this hearing may prove a defining moment in the legal and political narrative surrounding Trump’s return to power—and how the country grapples with justice at the highest level.
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