Former special counsel Jack Smith testified publicly for the first time on his investigations into President Trump before the House Judiciary Committee. In this first portion, Smith in his opening statement said: "I am not a politician, and I have no partisan loyalties." He stated that Mr. Trump was charged "because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law" and that his investigation "developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity." Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to oversee preexisting Justice Department investigations into Trump's role in the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack and alleged mishandling of classified documents. After Mr. Trump won the 2024 election, Smith dismissed both cases "without prejudice," meaning charges could be refiled after Mr. Trump leaves office. In August 2025, the Trump administration announced an investigation into Smith, alleging his investigations were politically motivated.