On January 22, 2026, former U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith made his first public appearance before Congress, testifying for over five hours before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. Smith, who led two major federal investigations into President Donald Trump during the Biden administration, defended his work and insisted that the evidence showed Trump engaged in criminal activity. Meanwhile, Trump responded sharply on social media, calling for Smith’s prosecution and labeling him a “deranged animal.”
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 to investigate Trump’s actions related to the 2020 presidential election and his handling of classified documents after leaving office. His probes resulted in two federal indictments against Trump. One case, filed in August 2023, charged Trump with four counts connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding. Prosecutors argued Trump and his allies tried to recruit false electors and pressured officials to reject valid election outcomes, leading to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
A separate indictment in June 2023 in Florida involved 40 counts related to Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Smith accused Trump of obstructing justice and violating the Espionage Act by withholding sensitive materials and defying subpoenas.
Both cases were dropped after Trump’s 2024 reelection, due to the Justice Department’s policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Smith resigned before Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
During the hearing, Smith stood firm on his decisions. He told lawmakers, “I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the decision to bring charges against President Trump.” He emphasized that the investigations were nonpartisan: “I made my decisions without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs or candidacy.” Smith added that the evidence proved Trump “willfully broke the law” and that he would prosecute a former president of either party under the same facts.
Smith described overwhelming evidence in both cases, saying his team was “ready, willing and able to go to trial.” He linked the Capitol attack directly to Trump, stating the riot “does not happen without him” and that co-conspirators acted for Trump’s benefit.
Republicans on the committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, attacked Smith as politically motivated. They questioned his independence and criticized his use of subpoenas for phone toll records of lawmakers who communicated with Trump. Some Republicans argued Trump’s statements about the election were protected free speech. Smith rejected claims of partisanship, responding “No” to accusations that he targeted Biden’s enemies.
Democrats praised Smith for his integrity. Representative Eric Swalwell called him a model of accountability, while Smith denied any pressure from the Biden administration.
Smith also warned of threats to the rule of law, criticizing Trump’s pardons of January 6 rioters and attacks on career prosecutors and FBI agents. He said he expected further targeting by Trump’s Justice Department but vowed not to be intimidated.
Throughout the hearing, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling Smith “deranged” and claiming he committed “large scale perjury.” Trump wrote that Smith “destroyed the lives of many innocent people” and suggested the Attorney General investigate him, echoing past calls to prosecute critics.
The hearing highlighted deep partisan divides over Trump’s actions, the January 6 events, and the role of special counsels in holding high officials accountable. Smith urged Americans not to take the rule of law for granted, stressing it requires collective commitment to uphold it.
