Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Defends Trump Probes in Heated Senate Hearing

Former US Special Counsel Jack Smith has defended his investigations into President Donald Trump during a tense US Senate hearing, even as Republican lawmakers accused him of abusing his authority.

Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Smith maintained that his investigations strictly followed Justice Department policy and relied on concrete evidence. He strongly rejected accusations that political bias influenced his decision to bring criminal charges against President Donald Trump, the first US president ever indicted.

“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in serious crimes against our nation,” Smith stated.

Appointed as special counsel in 2022 following his work as a war crimes prosecutor at The Hague, Smith independently investigated President Donald Trump’s actions after his first term. In 2023, he brought two criminal indictments: one concerning efforts to subvert the 2020 presidential election and another regarding the handling of classified documents.

Two separate indictments were also brought against President Donald Trump in New York and Georgia, though only the New York case went to trial, resulting in felony convictions before the remaining federal cases were dropped following the 2024 presidential election.

Smith resigned shortly before the second inauguration of President Donald Trump in January 2025. President Donald Trump has consistently denied all wrongdoing, characterizing the probes as a politically motivated witch-hunt orchestrated by Smith and former President Joe Biden.

During Tuesday's hearing, led by Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Republicans criticized investigative methods such as subpoenas targeting phone records of members of Congress and financial data from Republican donors. Senator Ted Cruz questioned the secrecy surrounding congressional subpoenas, but Smith explained that prosecutors feared potential evidence destruction or investigation interference. Smith also highlighted that his office consulted the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section beforehand.

Furthermore, Smith accused the administration of President Donald Trump of retaliating against investigators, noting that several former FBI agents and prosecutors had been fired for doing their jobs, prompting ongoing legal challenges.

“As I appear before you today, it is my belief that the rule of law faces challenges unlike any we have experienced in our lifetime,” Smith concluded, emphasizing that he will not be silenced by threats of prosecution.