Story perspectives

Jack Smith Defends Trump Probes at Senate Hearing

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 4:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, defending his investigations of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Sen. Chuck Grassley accused Smith of abusing authority and targeting Republican officials with subpoenas.
Smith said toll-record subpoenas of GOP lawmakers were common and needed to trace the Jan. 6 conspiracy.
He asserted his decisions ignored President Donald Trump's affiliation and would prosecute any president regardless of party.

History

Historical Context

The 1973 appointment of Archibald Cox as Watergate special prosecutor, after the Senate’s May 17 hearings and a 1,094-page report, forced President Nixon to confront subpoenaed Oval Office tapes, leading to the “Saturday Night Massacre.” That precedent of relentless subpoenas underpins Special Counsel Jack Smith’s current battle with Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley over the Jan. 6 investigation.

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Story summary

Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, defending his investigations of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Sen. Chuck Grassley accused Smith of abusing authority and targeting Republican officials with subpoenas.
Smith said toll-record subpoenas of GOP lawmakers were common and needed to trace the Jan. 6 conspiracy.
He asserted his decisions ignored President Donald Trump's affiliation and would prosecute any president regardless of party.

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