Archive · 2 Jan 2026
Jack Smith: Trump Caused Jan. 6 Riot
Jack Smith, who used to be a special counsel, talked to a group of lawmakers about Donald Trump's role in the Jan.
6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Smith said that Trump was the main person responsible for the riot and that the violence wouldn't have happened without him.
He also mentioned that Trump tried to overturn the election results even though he knew he had lost.
Smith's testimony was kept private at first, but it was later released to the public.
He also expressed concern that Trump might try to get back at him for his role as special counsel.
Jack Smith testified that Donald Trump was the most responsible for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The testimony was conducted privately on December 17, 2023, and released on December 31, 2023.
Smith argued that Trump caused, exploited, and refused to stop the violence on Jan. 6.
Trump's private admissions of losing the election were used as evidence against him.
Smith expressed concern about potential retribution from Trump.
- Who
- Jack Smith, former special counsel, and Donald Trump, former U.S. President
- What
- Testimony about Trump's role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
- When
- Testimony conducted on December 17, 2023, released on December 31, 2023
- Where
- House Judiciary Committee, closed-door testimony
- Why
- To discuss the defunct criminal cases against Trump and his role in the Jan. 6 riot
- Person
- Jack Smith
- Event
- Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol
- Testimony Date
- December 17, 2023
- Testimony Release Date
- December 31, 2023
- Trump's Role
- Caused, exploited, and refused to stop the violence
- Smith's Concern
- Potential retribution from Trump