LOADING ERROR LOADINGWASHINGTON — Former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that President Donald Trump himself is responsible for the criminal indictments against him relating to the Jan. 6 insurrection and his possession of classified documents. Advertisement“The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts,” Smith told lawmakers, according to excerpts of his opening remarks obtained by HuffPost. Trump has previously called for Smith to be prosecuted, and the Trump Justice Department has sought charges against state and federal officials Trump considers his political enemies. “Jack Smith tampered with evidence, surveilled sitting members of Congress and waged unprecedented lawfare against President Trump,” Jordan said in October. “I didn’t choose those members; President Trump did.”

Source: Huffington Post December 17, 2025 17:48 UTC