Jack Smith Goes Scorched Earth on ‘Criminal’ Trump

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump, stating he had no regrets during his first public testimony regarding the criminal investigation he led into the president.

“I want to make it clear that I stand by my decisions as Special Counsel, including the decision to indict President Trump,” Smith said in his opening statement. “Our investigation produced irrefutable evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, that President Trump engaged in criminal activity.”

He added that Trump “implemented a criminal scheme to invalidate the election results and prevent the lawful transfer of power.”

Smith also asserted that the president “illegally stored classified documents at his private Mar-a-Lago club and repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice to conceal his possession of those documents.” “

He specifically mentioned the presence of “highly sensitive national security information” in a bathroom and a ballroom.

The veteran prosecutor, whom Trump called “deranged” for his investigations into attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and Trump’s handling of classified documents, testified publicly for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Mr. Smith said that if asked today whether he would prosecute a former president based on the same facts, he would do so regardless of political affiliation.

“No one is above the law in this country,” Mr. Smith added. “The law requires that he be held accountable for his actions.”

The former special counsel began his testimony by expressing his love for his country and his deep faith in “the fundamental principles upon which it was founded.” He emphasized that he is not a politician and owes allegiance to no party.

“I have dedicated my professional life to serving our country by upholding the rule of law,” Mr. Smith said.

He explained that he made his decision to indict Trump independently of his political affiliations and activities because “the evidence demonstrated that he deliberately violated the law—the very laws he swore to protect.”

Smith had already appeared in court behind closed doors last month. House Republicans released the transcript of the hearing on New Year’s Eve.

Thursday’s hearing was his first opportunity to testify publicly about his investigations.

Smith was appointed special counsel in November 2022 to oversee the investigations concerning Trump. The then-president was indicted in the classified documents case the following June. He was also indicted in the 2020 election interference case in August 2023.

However, Smith dropped both cases after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election and his preparations for a second term.

On Thursday, Smith issued a stark warning, saying he had seen firsthand how the rule of law can “erode.”

“I’m concerned that the rule of law has been applied in our country for so long that many of us take it for granted,” Smith said. “The rule of law doesn’t apply automatically.”