Overview
- Smith told lawmakers his team developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump pursued a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election and that prosecutors amassed powerful evidence of unlawful retention of classified documents and obstruction.
- He said the charging decision was his but grounded in Trump's conduct as alleged in grand jury indictments, and he would bring the same case today regardless of party.
- Pressed on investigative tactics, Smith defended obtaining limited phone metadata tied to certain Republican lawmakers as relevant to a comprehensive Jan. 6 inquiry, saying he did not choose the members Trump called.
- He appeared under subpoena after offering to testify publicly, and Republicans signaled further oversight steps, including seeking testimony from former deputies.
- Smith declined to answer questions that would reveal protected grand jury material, and the earlier prosecutions were dropped after Trump’s 2024 reelection in line with DOJ policy on sitting presidents.