Washington, DC — Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of President Donald Trump before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, saying the evidence supported both federal prosecutions and that he would make the same charging decisions again.
Smith told senators that his team acted without regard to Trump’s political affiliation or 2024 candidacy. He said investigators had developed evidence they believed proved serious crimes related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and Trump’s handling of classified documents. Both cases were later dismissed after Trump won the 2024 election, consistent with Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
Republicans focused heavily on Smith’s collection of phone records and other communications involving GOP lawmakers. Sen. Chuck Grassley called the investigation a partisan abuse of power, while Rep. Jim Jordan has referred Smith to the Justice Department over allegations that he misled Congress about subpoenas.
Smith said obtaining call logs was necessary because investigators had evidence Trump and allies contacted senators during the Jan. 6 attack while seeking to delay certification of the election. Democrats, including Sen. Dick Durbin, defended Smith and accused Republicans of using the hearing to distract from Trump’s conduct.
Smith also said he would not be silenced by threats of prosecution from Trump or administration allies.
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