Jack Smith, former special counsel, vigorously defended his case against Donald Trump on Thursday during a highly anticipated session with Republican critics in Congress, pointing to extensive evidence that Trump orchestrated a “criminal scheme” to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to AFP.
Smith, who led two unsuccessful prosecutions of Trump, never had the chance to argue his case in court, the televised hearing before the House Judiciary Committee gave him a long-sought platform to present his arguments directly to the Americans.
A seasoned federal prosecutor and former war crimes attorney in The Hague, Smith told lawmakers that his investigative team had “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity.”
“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 stated. Smith added that the decision to pursue charges against Trump was made “without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs, or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election”.
Who is Jack Smith?
Jack Smith, 56, is an American lawyer who has held multiple roles within the US Department of Justice, including assistant US attorney, acting US attorney, and chief of the Public Integrity Section. He also served as the lead prosecutor at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, an international tribunal in The Hague responsible for investigating and prosecuting war crimes committed during the Kosovo War.
From November 18, 2022, until his resignation on January 10, 2025, Smith served as a Special Counsel for the Department of Justice.
(This is a developing story. More to come)
