TLDR:
- Former special counsel Jack Smith testified he has proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” that President Trump committed crimes
- Smith stood by his prosecution decisions and suggested charges could be revived when Trump leaves office
- Republicans accused Smith of running a politically motivated prosecution designed to prevent Trump’s election
- Trump called Smith a “deranged animal” on social media during the hearing
Former special counsel Jack Smith delivered a defiant message to Congress on Thursday: President Trump is guilty, and he stands by every decision he made to prosecute him.
“Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity,” Mr. Smith told the House Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Smith specifically blamed Mr. Trump for the Capitol riot in 2021, saying the president “is the person who caused Jan. 6.” He called it an “unprecedented criminal scheme to block the peaceful transfer of power.”
The former special counsel left open the possibility that charges could be revived when Mr. Trump leaves office, insisting “no one should be above the law in this country.”
But Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan accused Mr. Smith of running a politically motivated prosecution, pointing to efforts to rush a trial before the 2024 election.
“It was always about politics,” Mr. Jordan said. “The good news is the American people saw through it.”
Mr. Trump watched the proceedings and responded on Truth Social, calling Mr. Smith a “deranged animal” who “shouldn’t be allowed to practice Law.”
Mr. Smith declined to comment on the president’s remarks.
Read more:
• Jack Smith defends Trump prosecutions, says evidence proved guilt ‘beyond reasonable doubt’
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
