Former Special Counsel Jack Smith to Testify Publicly on Trump Investigations

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, concerning his investigations into former President Donald Trump. These investigations led to two indictments: one related to Trump's retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and the other concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Both indictments were dropped following Trump's November 2024 re-election, adhering to Justice Department policies that prevent the indictment of a sitting president.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan announced the upcoming testimony, stating that Smith would appear before the panel on January 22. Jordan expressed intentions to present facts and suggested that Smith was part of a broader effort to undermine Trump. Smith has previously testified privately before the committee, asserting that the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot would not have occurred without Trump and rejecting claims that his investigations aimed to disrupt Trump's political future.

Smith was appointed special counsel in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland. He led investigations into Trump's handling of classified documents and his actions surrounding the 2020 election results. Both cases were dismissed after Trump's 2024 election victory, in line with Justice Department policy barring the indictment of a sitting president. Smith's attorney, Lanny Breuer, confirmed Smith's readiness to testify publicly about his investigations into Trump's alleged unlawful efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the Justice Department was weaponized against him during his pursuit of a return to the White House.