Jack Smith defends move to seek criminal charges for Trump’s effort to overturn 2020 election

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Hugo LowellJanuary 22, 2026 at 11:13 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his decision to seek criminal charges against Donald Trump for efforts to overturn the 2020 election before the House Judiciary Committee. Smith stated that "no one should be above the law," justifying his actions. Republicans questioned Smith's motives and methods, particularly his acquisition of phone call records between Trump and members of Congress. Smith defended this as necessary to build a timeline of Trump's efforts to block the election certification on January 6, 2021, and to prevent obstruction of justice. The hearing provided Smith an opportunity to address accusations of partisan bias in his investigation. The cases were dropped after Trump was elected to a second term, with Smith citing judicial precedents that prevented prosecutions against a sitting president.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

White House 40% Capitol Hill 40% Mar-a-Lago 40% Congress 50% 6 January 2021 60% House judiciary committee ×260% Republicans ×370% Justice Department ×270% 2020 election ×480% Donald Trump ×990% Jack Smith ×1090%

Keywords

overturn 2020 election 100% donald trump 80% jack smith 80% criminal charges 80% obstruction of justice 60% house judiciary committee 60% toll records 50% partisan politics 40%