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January 23, 2026

Ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith: Not Holding Trump Accountable for Trying to Steal Election Could Be "Catastrophic"
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Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before Congress Thursday and
defended his decision to indict Donald Trump for seeking to overturn the
2020 election and removing classified documents from the White House.

Jack Smith: "I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the
decision to bring charges against President Trump. Our investigation
developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged
in criminal activity. If asked whether to prosecute a former president
based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless of whether that
president was a Democrat or a Republican. No one - no one - should be
above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to
account. So that is what I did."

During the hearing, Congressmember Pramila Jayapal questioned Jack Smith
about the importance of accountability.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal: "How would you describe the toll on our democracy
if we do not hold a president accountable for attempting to steal an
election?"

Jack Smith: "My belief is that if we do not hold the most powerful
people in our society to the same standards of the rule of law, it can
be catastrophic."



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