Former special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two now-defunct criminal cases against President Donald Trump, defended the integrity of his investigation during a combative hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill. “I am not a politician, and I have no partisan loyalties,” Smith told the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. But Smith withdrew both cases after Trump’s 2024 election victory, citing longstanding Justice Department rules against prosecuting a sitting president. Here are takeaways on Smith’s major hearing on Thursday. Hearing draws notable attendeesFour former police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6 were in the room to watch the hearing.

Source: CNN January 23, 2026 09:54 UTC