Jack Smith Defends Probes

Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigations, which led to two federal indictments against Donald Trump. The hearing centered on subpoenas for phone toll records, which show call routing and timing, and other communications involving lawmakers and Trump allies during the Jan. 6 and election-interference probes. In prepared remarks, Smith said threats of prosecution would not silence him, defended the charges, and said the evidence showed Trump committed serious crimes. Republicans accused him of partisan abuse, while Smith and defenders said the subpoenas were routine tools needed to map the alleged conspiracy. Chair Chuck Grassley said Smith’s team obtained records involving 44 members of Congress. The Republican scrutiny is continuing, while Democrats say Smith had long offered to testify.