Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, saying his team had developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump committed serious crimes. Smith said his decisions, including bringing charges, were based on the evidence and not Trump’s politics or 2024 candidacy.

Republican committee chairman Chuck Grassley argued the 2020 election investigation extended too far, citing subpoenas for records from Republican groups and phone records involving 16 members of Congress. He also questioned whether investigators properly screened messages for constitutional protections; Smith said the records were relevant to the investigation and that his team followed Justice Department policy. Democrat Dick Durbin defended Smith’s authority and described Trump’s alleged conduct as unusually serious.