Jack Smith Defends Trump Investigations Amid GOP Accusations

Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations into President Donald Trump at a Jan. 22, 2026, House Judiciary Committee hearing, telling lawmakers in testimony, "We followed the facts and we followed the law," he said.

The hearing centered on a probe that produced more than 40 criminal charges tied to attempts to block the 2020 transfer of power and to classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, and a federal judge dismissed the classified-documents case in 2024 for an unlawful appointment, court records show.

Republican lawmakers including Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., accused Smith of "spying" by seeking tolling records for senators and House members and of weaponizing the Department of Justice, while Democrats such as Rep. Jamie Raskin praised Smith's service, committee transcripts show.

Subpoenas for tolling records were accompanied by gag orders that prevented lawmakers from being notified for at least one year, and the Public Integrity Section signed off on the subpoenas, according to court records and Smith's testimony.

A Department of Justice watchdog is reviewing Smith's work and Smith declined to say whether charges could be refiled after Donald Trump leaves office, leaving potential legal and political follow-ups unresolved, officials confirmed.