Jack Smith Grilled in Explosive House Hearing Over Trump Prosecutions
Special Counsel Jack Smith faced withering scrutiny from Republicans during a heated House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, as lawmakers pressed him over the politically charged prosecutions of President Donald Trump.
Smith, appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022, led the controversial investigations into Trump’s alleged role in the January 6 Capitol riot and his handling of classified documents. While Democrats applauded his work, Republicans accused him of weaponizing the Justice Department against political enemies.
“Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6,” Smith said during questioning by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA). “We followed the facts and we followed the law,” he added, defending the indictments as the result of an “unprecedented criminal scheme” to block the peaceful transfer of power.
Pressed by Johnson on whether the charges could return if Trump leaves office, Smith noted they were “dismissed without prejudice” but declined to say more.
Republicans repeatedly challenged the scope and bias of Smith’s probe. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said his own phone records were targeted because of contact with Rep. Scott Perry, questioning why communications between lawmakers and the President were of any interest to Smith’s team.
“To what end?” asked Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). “You went after political enemies — maybe not yours, but certainly Joe Biden’s. You were the arm of the Biden administration, weren’t you?”
Smith denied any political agenda but admitted during questioning by Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) that he believes the Justice Department might seek to indict him in retaliation for his work.
“Our investigation involved interviewing and subpoenaing Republicans,” Smith said, arguing Trump exploited party loyalty in his effort to remain in power.
The White House declined to comment directly, instead pointing to a Truth Social post from Trump, who was watching the hearing closely.
“Deranged Jack Smith is being DECIMATED before Congress,” Trump posted. “He destroyed many lives under the guise of legitimacy. He’s a deranged animal who shouldn’t be allowed to practice law.”
Trump continued, “If he were a Republican, his license would’ve been taken away. The whole thing was a Democrat SCAM — a big price should be paid for what they’ve put our country through!”
Republicans tore into Smith for alleged misconduct throughout the investigations. Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) accused him of violating DOJ rules, tampering with evidence in the Mar-a-Lago case, and unlawfully subpoenaing lawmakers’ phone records.
“You breached the 60-day rule by dropping this partisan attack just before the election,” Fry said. “You didn’t even tell the court these were members of Congress.”
Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) took aim at key witness Cassidy Hutchinson, calling her “somebody everybody knows is making it up.” Smith conceded her testimony consisted of secondhand accounts.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) defended Smith and lashed out at Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon, calling her “completely lawless” for decisions seen as favorable to Trump.
The tense hearing followed a closed-door deposition last month. Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) suggested Smith may be called back soon, especially if Judge Cannon lifts her gag order — potentially opening the door to further testimony on the classified documents case.