Jack Smith, the prosecutor who led criminal investigations of President Trump for the Department of Justice, faced questions from Senate Republicans on Tuesday. Smith handled two probes: one focused on the president’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the other on Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents. During the hearing, Smith stated that if asked whether to prosecute a former president today based on the same facts, he would proceed regardless of the president's political affiliation.
Republican senators questioned Smith's motivations and accused him of political bias. One senator expressed strong disapproval, stating, "You make me want to throw up in my mouth." They also raised concerns about Smith's decision to seek congressional Republicans' phone records in connection with the January 6 attack.
Senator Josh Hawley accused Smith of lying to Congress, calling it the worst abuse of prosecutorial power in U.S. history. Another senator, Eric Schmitt, incorrectly claimed that Smith had traveled to Georgia to collude with prosecutors in a separate investigation against Trump, referencing text messages as evidence. Smith clarified that he had not visited Georgia during that time.
Democrats on the committee criticized their Republican colleagues for focusing on attacking Smith rather than investigating the alleged crimes. Smith also expressed concern about the Department of Justice's decision to fire career prosecutors involved in January 6 investigations, stating that it compromises the safety of the country.
The hearing reflects ongoing tensions regarding the politicization of the Department of Justice, with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan calling for the prosecution of Smith after accusing him of lying during a previous closed-door hearing.