Former special counsel Jack Smith testifies Trump led a “criminal scheme” to overturn the 2020 election, vowing he “will not be intimidated”.
WASHINGTON: Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his prosecution of Donald Trump in a televised congressional hearing, stating he developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal activity.
Smith told the House Judiciary Committee that Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn the 2020 presidential results.
“Rather than accept his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results and prevent the lawful transfer of power,” he testified.
The veteran prosecutor said his decision to indict the Republican leader was taken without regard to Trump’s political activities or 2024 candidacy.
Trump attacked Smith on social media during the testimony, calling him a “deranged animal” who should be prosecuted.
Asked about Trump’s repeated threats, Smith said “I will not be intimidated”.
He suggested the statements served as a warning to others about what happens if they stand up.
Smith rejected Republican claims that his prosecution was politically motivated.
“If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that president was a Democrat or a Republican,” he stated.
“No one should be above the law,” Smith added, asserting Trump was charged because evidence showed he willfully broke laws he swore to uphold.
The former special counsel also said Trump was the person “most responsible” for the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
“Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused January 6, that it was foreseeable to him and that he sought to exploit the violence,” Smith testified.
Republican committee chairman Jim Jordan accused Smith of seeking to “get President Trump” to prevent his 2024 reelection bid.
“He’s got to stop President Trump from running, tie him up in court,” Jordan claimed, arguing the prosecution was “always about politics”.
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 and charged Trump over election interference and mishandling classified documents.
Both cases were dropped after Trump won the November 2024 election, in line with a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.
Democratic representative Jamie Raskin defended Smith’s investigation at the hearing.
“Donald Trump says you’re a criminal and you belong in prison,” Raskin said, adding it was “because you did everything right” in pursuing the facts and following the law.
