Senate Republicans to question Jack Smith on Trump probes

Smith to appear before Senate panel

Former special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigation of President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss before the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has accused Smith of misusing his authority and politically targeting Republicans.

Smith has denied that his decisions were directed or influenced by the Biden administration or other political actors. He previously said he believes a jury would have convicted Trump in the election-related case if it had reached trial.

Trump pleaded not guilty in that case and denied inciting supporters on Jan. 6, calling his remarks that day appropriate. After returning to office, he granted mass clemency to Jan. 6 defendants, whom he had described as “hostages.” Both federal criminal cases Smith brought against Trump were dismissed.

Justice Department examines earlier investigations

The hearing comes while the Justice Department is pursuing inquiries involving law enforcement officials who worked on the election and classified-documents investigations, NBC News reported.

The Trump administration launched a broad investigation last year into federal law enforcement actions dating to 2016. It has also removed FBI and Justice Department officials involved in previous investigations of Trump.

Attorneys for current and former officials told a court that Justice Department officials appeared interested in examining the August 2022 FBI search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Agents found classified documents during that search, which became central to Smith’s other federal case against Trump.