And did NOT back down in his view that the current President of the United States DID cause the protest and violence that was unleased on the nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021…
Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who twice indicted Donald J. Trump, defended his investigation in a tense and long-awaited appearance before a House committee on Thursday — flatly accusing Mr. Trump of causing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
“No one should be above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to account,” Mr. Smith said in his opening remarks. “So that is what I did.”
His testimony represented the argument he was never allowed to deliver in court: that Mr. Trump “engaged in criminal activity” that undermined democracy and the rule of law.
The hearing posed significant risks to Mr. Smith, who has said he believes Mr. Trump and his appointees will seize on the smallest misstep to investigate, prosecute and humiliate him. House Republicans had made it clear that they would make a criminal referral to the Justice Department if his testimony revealed serious inconsistencies or misstatements….
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But the hearing also provided Mr. Smith with what was likely to be his best opportunity to challenge, in an official forum, Mr. Trump’s justification for ordering the Justice Department to pursue his enemies: that he was persecuted for his politics, not prosecuted for his alleged misdeeds.
“Our investigation revealed that Donald Trump is the person who caused Jan. 6, that it was foreseeable to him and that he sought to exploit the violence,” Mr. Smith said, sitting alone at the witness table with a water bottle, legal pad and white ballpoint pen.
He appeared wan and tired, speaking so softly at times his voice did not register with voice transcription apps. Before sitting at the witness table, Mr. Smith greeted four law enforcement officers who were attacked by the pro-Trump mob at the Capitol — Michael Fanone, Daniel Hodges, Aquilino Gonell and Harry Dunn….
Note….
Some of the lawmakers at Smith’s appearance where hiding under theeir desk’s that Jan. 6, afraid that the mob could hurt them…..
Smith was never allowed to pursue his case against Trump who has been after the former Federal prosecutor ever since….
Update….
Former special counsel Jack Smith believes the Trump administration will indict him, he said during congressional testimony on Thursday.
Why it matters: Smith’s prediction follows the Trump administration’s repeated prosecution of the president’s political enemies. President Trump has called Smith a criminal.
Driving the news: Hours into the public hearing, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) asked Smith if he thinks the Justice Department would “find some way” to indict him.
“I believe they will do everything in their power to do that because they have been ordered to by the president,” Smith said.
Balint responded, “That is very concerning.”
More…
So far Trump revenge Justice Dept. criminal efforts have gone nowhere…..