# Jack Smith Tells Congress: Trump Orchestrated Election Scheme, Hoarded Classified Docs

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, defending his investigation into Donald Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election.[1] During his opening remarks, Smith stated that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the election results and prevent the lawful transfer of power.[1] Smith also revealed that after leaving office, Trump illegally retained classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago social club and repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice to conceal their continued presence, with highly sensitive national security information stored in a ballroom and bathroom.[1] Smith emphasized his confidence in the charges brought against Trump, noting that the investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal activity.[1] When questioned about whether he would prosecute a former president under the same circumstances regardless of party affiliation, Smith stated he would do so whether that president was a Democrat or Republican.[1] During the same hearing, Smith addressed Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol attack.[2] He discussed how Trump's known lies in the weeks leading up to the riot created distrust and anger among supporters at the Ellipse before Trump directed them to march toward the Capitol.[2] Smith referenced reports from multiple rioters stating that if Trump had not convinced them the election was stolen, they might not have come to Washington.[2] When directly asked whether Trump motivated and bore responsibility for the violence that day, Smith affirmed this assessment based on the investigation's findings and report.[2] In separate legal developments, historians have filed a new lawsuit seeking to prevent Trump from violating the Presidential Records Act by destroying documents during his current term.[4] The suit seeks an injunction against Trump to ensure he does not destroy any records, drawing on the fact that Trump allegedly violated the Presidential Records Act during his first term by refusing to surrender records to the National Archives.[4] Additionally, a federal judge has halted construction on Trump's planned White House ballroom project for a second time, with the court stating that national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity.[5] This ruling represents another legal setback for Trump, as the courts continue to impose limits on presidential actions that Trump reportedly does not accept. These developments illustrate ongoing legal and congressional scrutiny of Trump's actions both during his first term and in his current presidency, with Smith's testimony providing a comprehensive overview of the charges and investigations that have shaped Trump's legal troubles. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.