Former Special Counsel Jack Smith delivered explosive testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, declaring that President Donald Trump willfully broke the law in his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The hearing marked the first public testimony about Smith's work after presiding over two federal criminal indictments of the president.
Smith told lawmakers that his investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump engaged in criminal activity. He stated that if asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, he would do so regardless of whether that president was a Democrat or a Republican, emphasizing that no one should be above the law in America.
The former special counsel warned Americans not to take the rule of law for granted, expressing concern about its erosion. He noted that the rule of law is not self-executing and depends on collective commitment to apply it. Smith highlighted that Trump was looking for ways to stay in power rather than seeking honest answers about election fraud, rejecting contradictory information when presented with it.
Republican Chairman Jim Jordan characterized the investigation as partisan, arguing that Democrats had pursued Trump relentlessly for a decade. Democratic Ranking Member Jamie Raskin credited Smith with following applicable laws and regulations, contrasting his approach with Trump's conduct. The hearing revealed deep partisan divisions over the prosecution's legitimacy.
Smith's testimony comes after the release of a 255-page transcript and more than eight hours of video from his closed-door deposition last month. In that deposition, he told lawmakers he could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the election. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case, ruling Smith's appointment illegal, while the election case was dropped after Trump's re-election in 2024 citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Comments