By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-jack-smith-testifies-about-trump-criminal-investigations Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Jack Smith testifies about Trump criminal investigations Politics Updated on Jan 21, 2026 7:11 PM EST — Published on Jan 21, 2026 6:08 PM EST The former Justice Department special counsel who twice indicted President Donald Trump will face tough questioning in a highly anticipated congressional hearing. Jack Smith will appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Jan. 22. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. EST. Watch it in the player above. Smith will testify in a House Judiciary hearing Thursday. It's an opportunity for the career prosecutor to offer his inside perspective on the investigations into Trump's mishandling of classified documents and attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The president was indicted in two federal cases, but both were scuttled once it was clear that Trump would return to the Oval Office, due to Department of Justice policy that prevents prosecution of a sitting president. READ MORE: 3 things to know ahead of Jack Smith's testimony Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump has denied wrongdoing while attacking Smith, calling him a "criminal" who ought to be investigated and "put in prison." Marking the first year of his second term, Trump on Tuesday took another swipe at his perceived enemies, including Smith, whom he called "deranged" and "a sick son of a b***h." READ MORE: Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump In a closed-door meeting with lawmakers in December, Smith acknowledged the president's threats levied at his political enemies. "I am eyes wide open that this president will seek retribution against me if he can," he said. Smith also said then that he had "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" in the case against Trump, and batted down suggestions that he pursued a politically motivated case against the president. Now, in front of cameras, he'll have the chance to say more to the American public. The nightly PBS News Hour broadcast will have major takeaways from the hourslong hearing. You can also follow the PBS News' coverage on YouTube, Facebook, X and Bluesky and see highlights on our Instagram and TikTok. More coverage on Trump's first year READ MORE: Fact-checking Trump's marathon White House briefing at the one-year mark of his second term, courtesy of PolitiFact. WATCH: What Congress is doing as Trump expands presidential power. WATCH: A conservative legal scholar on the constitutionality of Trump's first year. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
The former Justice Department special counsel who twice indicted President Donald Trump will face tough questioning in a highly anticipated congressional hearing. Jack Smith will appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Jan. 22. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. EST. Watch it in the player above. Smith will testify in a House Judiciary hearing Thursday. It's an opportunity for the career prosecutor to offer his inside perspective on the investigations into Trump's mishandling of classified documents and attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The president was indicted in two federal cases, but both were scuttled once it was clear that Trump would return to the Oval Office, due to Department of Justice policy that prevents prosecution of a sitting president. READ MORE: 3 things to know ahead of Jack Smith's testimony Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump has denied wrongdoing while attacking Smith, calling him a "criminal" who ought to be investigated and "put in prison." Marking the first year of his second term, Trump on Tuesday took another swipe at his perceived enemies, including Smith, whom he called "deranged" and "a sick son of a b***h." READ MORE: Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump In a closed-door meeting with lawmakers in December, Smith acknowledged the president's threats levied at his political enemies. "I am eyes wide open that this president will seek retribution against me if he can," he said. Smith also said then that he had "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" in the case against Trump, and batted down suggestions that he pursued a politically motivated case against the president. Now, in front of cameras, he'll have the chance to say more to the American public. The nightly PBS News Hour broadcast will have major takeaways from the hourslong hearing. You can also follow the PBS News' coverage on YouTube, Facebook, X and Bluesky and see highlights on our Instagram and TikTok. More coverage on Trump's first year READ MORE: Fact-checking Trump's marathon White House briefing at the one-year mark of his second term, courtesy of PolitiFact. WATCH: What Congress is doing as Trump expands presidential power. WATCH: A conservative legal scholar on the constitutionality of Trump's first year. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now