Explosive Showdown: Ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith to Testify on Trump Probes Before GOP-Led House

Former special counsel Jack Smith is scheduled to testify publicly before the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET, regarding his investigations into President Donald Trump.[1][2][4] This hearing, titled "Oversight of the Office of Special Counsel Jack Smith," follows Smith's closed-door deposition on December 17, 2025, where a transcript revealed his team's belief in "proof beyond reasonable doubt" of Trump's guilt in two major cases.[1][2]

Smith's probes targeted Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results after losing to Joe Biden and his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago following his 2021 White House departure.[1][2] Both led to indictments in 2023, with Trump pleading not guilty, but the cases were dropped after his 2024 reelection due to Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.[1][2] In his private testimony, Smith rejected Republican claims of political bias, denying influence from Biden or Attorney General Merrick Garland, and stated his work aimed to uphold the law, not hinder Trump's 2024 bid.[1][2]

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan announced the public session late Monday, calling Smith a "tough witness" but vowing to expose what he sees as a broader effort to undermine Trump.[1][2] Jordan highlighted Smith's December remarks linking Trump directly to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where Smith said the violence "does not happen" without Trump, who "refused to stop it" and instead tweeted.[2][3] A PBS NewsHour livestream is set for the event, amplifying public scrutiny.[5]

Trump has long maintained the investigations weaponized the Justice Department against him.[2] Smith's attorney, Lanny Breuer, affirmed his readiness for open testimony on the election interference and documents cases.[2] Republicans on the committee seek to probe Smith's operations and decisions, building on the released transcript that showed his firm defense of the prosecutions.[1][4]

Listeners tuning in tomorrow may hear heated exchanges, as Jordan anticipates revealing facts about alleged anti-Trump motivations.[1][6] This development keeps the saga of Smith's tenure in the spotlight amid Trump's return to the presidency, with no new charges pending due to DOJ rules.[1][2] (Word count: 348)

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