Former special counsel Jack Smith recently testified before the House Judiciary Committee, asserting that the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot "does not happen" without Donald Trump.Smith characterized Trump as the "most culpable and most responsible person" in the criminal conspiracy aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election.
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yahoo.comDuring a closed-door interview, Smith defended the basis for pursuing indictments against Trump, rejecting claims from Republican lawmakers that his investigations were politically motivated.He stated, "The evidence here made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy".
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yahoo.compbs.orgSmith emphasized that the crimes committed during the Capitol attack were for Trump's benefit, indicating that the actions of co-conspirators were motivated by their allegiance to him.Smith's testimony, which was conducted privately despite his request for a public hearing, provided lawmakers with insights into the decision-making behind two significant Justice Department investigations involving Trump.These investigations included charges related to Trump's efforts to overturn the election and his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.Both cases were ultimately abandoned after Trump won the 2024 election, as the Justice Department's policy prohibits the indictment of a sitting president.
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yahoo.comIn his testimony, Smith expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence against Trump, noting that it included testimony from Trump allies and supporters who cooperated with the investigation.He highlighted the importance of accounts from Republicans who acknowledged the illegality of the actions taken to support Trump, stating, "Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party".
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yahoo.comSmith detailed how Trump incited the Capitol riot by promoting false claims of election fraud in the weeks leading up to January 6.He noted that Trump was aware of the anger among his supporters and directed them to the Capitol, where the violence ultimately erupted.Smith stated, "He made false statements to state legislatures, to his supporters in all sorts of contexts and was aware in the days leading up to Jan.6th that his supporters were angry".
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yahoo.comFurthermore, Smith pointed out that once the riot began, Trump failed to take immediate action to quell the violence.Instead, he issued a tweet that Smith believed endangered the life of then-Vice President Mike Pence.Smith remarked that Trump had to be urged by his staff to take any steps to address the situation as it unfolded.
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yahoo.comThe deposition also touched on the controversy surrounding the Smith team's analysis of phone records belonging to GOP lawmakers who were in contact with Trump on January 6.Smith defended this investigative tactic as lawful and necessary, suggesting that any outrage should be directed at Trump for his actions rather than at the prosecutors conducting the investigation.
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pbs.orgIn conclusion, Smith's testimony underscores the significant role that Trump played in the events leading up to and during the Capitol riot.His assertions about the evidence against Trump and the motivations of those involved in the conspiracy highlight the complexities of the ongoing investigations and the political ramifications surrounding them.As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of Smith's findings will likely remain a focal point in discussions about accountability and the rule of law in the United States.
