Former Special Counsel Jack Smith to Expose Trump’s Abuses in Public Testimony
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Jack Smith, the former Justice Department special counsel, will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22 about his investigations into Donald Trump’s egregious abuses of power.
Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, regarding his investigations into former President Donald Trump’s flagrant disregard for the rule of law. Smith’s investigations led to two indictments: one for Trump’s reckless retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, and another for his brazen attempts to overturn the 2020 election—an assault on democracy itself. Tragically, both indictments were dropped after Trump’s November 2024 re-election, a move justified by outdated Justice Department policies that shield sitting presidents from accountability.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, a staunch Trump ally, announced Smith’s upcoming testimony, vowing to present 'facts' while pushing the narrative that Smith was part of a so-called effort to undermine Trump. In reality, Smith has already testified privately, making it clear that the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—a violent insurrection—would not have occurred without Trump’s incitement. Smith has rejected baseless claims that his investigations were politically motivated, emphasizing the urgent need to hold powerful figures accountable.
Appointed in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, Smith led thorough investigations into Trump’s mishandling of classified documents and his attempts to subvert the 2020 election. Both cases, which represented a chance for justice, were dismissed after Trump’s return to power, once again highlighting the systemic barriers to prosecuting those at the top. Smith’s attorney, Lanny Breuer, confirmed Smith’s commitment to publicly testify about Trump’s unlawful efforts to overturn the election and his cavalier treatment of national secrets.
Despite overwhelming evidence, Trump continues to deny wrongdoing, perpetuating the myth that the Justice Department was weaponized against him, when in reality, it is Trump who has repeatedly weaponized the system for his own gain.
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