Smith said his decision to bring charges against Trump was taken “without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs, or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election”. Trump denied both charges and sought to frame them as politically motivated, accusing the Justice Department of being weaponised against him. Smith had requested that the deposition be delivered in public, but the Republican majority on the House panel declined his request. Republican committee chairman Jim Jordan accused Smith at Thursday’s hearing of seeking to “get President Trump” in an attempt to prevent him from seeking reelection in 2024. “He’s got to stop President Trump from running, tie him up in court,” Jordan said.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 22, 2026 19:12 UTC