Jack Smith makes first public defense of Trump indictments

• Smith testified before the panel in an eight-hour closed-door session last month but sought — and was granted — an open forum to defend the investigation.

Zoom in: In his opening statement, Smith will say that the investigation "developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump engaged in criminal activity after the 2020 election — and that declining to bring charges would have meant failing his duty as a prosecutor.

• "Grand juries in two separate districts reached this conclusion based on his actions, as alleged in the indictments they returned," he said.
• "After nearly 30 years of public service, including in international settings, I have seen how the rule of law can erode."
• "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in this country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted."

Go deeper: 5 key takeaways from Jack Smith's deposition on the Trump probes