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Rep. Becca Balint’s Statement Following Former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Public Testimony Before the Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vice Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified publicly before the Committee, detailing his investigations into President Donald Trump’s criminal attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election: 
 
“Today’s testimony confirmed that President Trump was the principal architect of the January 6th insurrection. Mr. Smith laid bare the pattern of threats, intimidation, and retaliation he and his team have faced from Trump and his loyalists for simply following the facts and the law. The President has repeatedly attacked him by name, fired career prosecutors and FBI agents who worked on the investigation, and made clear that retribution—not justice—is the goal. 

“This is the same dangerous playbook that led to January 6: undermine the truth, target those who enforce the law, and incite others while avoiding giving direct orders. No President is above the law, and the American people should be outraged that the independence of our justice system is being dismantled in plain sight.” 

While Special Counsel Smith was able to provide information about most of his work, there is information about the classified records investigation subject to a gag order from Trump appointed Judge Aileen Cannon. House Judiciary Democrats have requested a follow-up hearing to hear more from Special Counsel Smith when the gag order is lifted on his full work into the classified documents aspects of the case. 

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