Jack Smith: Jan. 6 riot wouldn't have happened without Trump
AP News••nation
Key Points:
- Former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot "does not happen" without Donald Trump, describing him as the "most culpable and most responsible person" in the conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.
- Smith defended the indictments against Trump, rejecting claims that the investigations were politically motivated, and emphasized that evidence, including testimony from Trump allies, strongly supported the charges.
- According to Smith, Trump knowingly spread false fraud claims, encouraged supporters to go to the Capitol, refused to stop the ensuing violence, and endangered Vice President Mike Pence during the riot.
- Smith justified the use of phone records of GOP lawmakers in the investigation as lawful and necessary, pointing out that Trump directed co-conspirators to
