In brief
Former special counsel Jack Smith is set to publicly testify on January 22 about his investigations into Donald Trump, particularly regarding Trump's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. This hearing follows a closed-door testimony where Smith indicated the January 6 Capitol riot could not have occurred without Trump. Smith's investigations resulted in indictments that were later abandoned, citing legal opinions against indicting a sitting president. Trump's defense claims these actions were politically motivated as he campaigns for a return to the presidency.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify publicly next week about his investigations into President Donald Trump that resulted in two indictments.Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a Fox News Channel interview on Monday night that Smith would appear before the panel on Jan. 22. A spokesman for Smith on Tuesday confirmed the committee hearing.Smith had already testified behind closed doors before the committee. A transcript released of that private deposition shows that Smith told lawmakers that the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without Trump.Smith led investigations into Trump’s hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election after the Republican president lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Both investigations resulted in indictments that were abandoned after Trump’s November 2024 presidential election win, with Smith citing Justice Department legal opinions that bar the indictment of a sitting president.One of Smith’s lawyers, Lanny Breuer, stated, “Jack has been clear for months he is ready and willing to answer questions in a public hearing about his investigations into President Trump’s alleged unlawful efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents.”In response, Trump has indicated that the Justice Department has been weaponized against him as he seeks to return to the White House.
