Jack Smith stands his ground as Republicans grill him over Trump investigations and lawmaker phone records
Still persevering
Jack Smith, the former Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, remains firm in his stance despite Republican threats and intimidation tactics. During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 29, 2026, GOP lawmakers pressed Smith on the motives behind two criminal cases against Trump. One concerned Trump’s potential role in overturning the 2020 Presidential election results that favored the Democrats, and the other concerned Trump’s alleged mishandling of sensitive records after his first term.
“I will not be silenced by the continued threats of prosecution from the president or others,” Smith said during the hearing. He also spoke out against the firing of his investigators in his office who contributed to Smith’s case against Trump, accusing them of “vilification of the agents, prosecutors and staff” who served on his team.
During the hearing, Smith’s information-gathering methods were also scrutinized, and Senator Ted Cruz asked why Senators weren’t informed about subpoenas against them before Smith reviewed their phone records. Smith explained that those involved in the investigation believed that Trump and his associates might destroy evidence if the subpoenas were made public, which is why they chose not to disclose them.
Cruz also sought to insinuate that Smith was targeting Trump and members of his administration because they are Republicans, asking him, “Is it a crime to be a Republican?” Smith, while maintaining his composure, denied any such foul play.
Smith denied claims of having a personal agenda
Senator Chuck Grassley notably accused Smith of making politically motivated attacks, saying, “This wasn’t a normal prosecution,” before adding, “Mr. Smith’s operation was a partisan weapon that broke the rules.”
Responding to such accusations from Grassley and several other Republican Senators, Smith later offered clarification. “Anybody who has worked with me and knows me during the course of my career knows that I would not let politics play a role. And I would just add that if you knew the people I worked with, they would not either,” Smith said. “That has never happened in my career. I have never seen anything remotely like it in any Republican or Democratic administration,” he added.
Smith received support from Republican lawmakers on Tuesday
While Republicans relentlessly grilled Smith and questioned his intentions, Democrats offered support. Prominent among them was Senator Dick Durbin, who accused Republican lawmakers of deliberately targeting him.
“The aspersions cast on Mr. Smith nonstop are petty, personal and political,” Durbin said. He added, “They are nothing but a smokescreen to distract from the president’s own clear unlawful conduct.” Among other Democratic lawmakers to extend support was Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar.
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