The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown

Jack Smith Defends Trump Prosecution 

Jan 22, 2026
Jack Smith, the former U.S. special counsel known for leading the investigations that resulted in indictments against Donald Trump, testifies publicly for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee. He stands firm on his decisions and stresses that his actions were apolitical. The discussion delves into the contrasts between Republican and Democrat reactions to his testimony, the complex legal constraints limiting what he can reveal, and the implications of Trump's words and actions surrounding January 6. Smith's defense and the surrounding political dynamics make for a captivating discourse.
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INSIGHT

Smith Stands By His Decisions

  • Jack Smith says he stands by his decisions and would prosecute regardless of party affiliation.
  • He asserts the investigation showed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal activity by Donald Trump.
INSIGHT

Partisan Goals Shaped The Hearing

  • Republicans aimed to find inconsistencies between Smith's closed-door and public testimony.
  • Democrats sought to give Smith space to recount the investigation and reinforce his nonpolitical prosecutorial record.
INSIGHT

January 6 Evidence In Focus

  • Smith plans to revisit Trump's words and actions on January 6, including calls to the Hill and a deleted tweet.
  • He views Trump's 2:24 p.m. tweet as evidence that endangered Mike Pence's life.
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