Jan 12, 2026 - Politics & Policy

Jack Smith to testify publicly at House Judiciary hearing

Andrew Solender

Photo illustration of former President Donald Trump, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and rioters from January 6th at the U.S. Capitol — Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Chandan Khanna/AFP, Drew Angerer, and Samuel Corum via Getty Images

Former special counsel Jack Smith will testify publicly at a House Judiciary Committee hearing later this month, Judiciary chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) announced Monday.

Why it matters: Smith, who testified privately to the panel in December, has sought an open forum to defend his investigation into President Trump from Republican attacks.

"Mr. Smith steadfastly followed Justice Department policies, observed all legal requirements, and took actions based on the facts and the law," the ex-special counsel's lawyers wrote in a letter to the panel last month.

Driving the news: Smith will testify at a hearing on the morning of Jan. 22, Jordan announced in a press release Monday night.

He previously told the panel in closed-door testimony that that evidence his probe gathered found Trump was "the most culpable and most responsible person" for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Smith also said his investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents unearthed "powerful evidence" that Trump willfully retained the materials and tried to obstruct justice.

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Jack Smith to testify publicly at House Judiciary hearing

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