The Senate Judiciary Committee has announced plans to conduct a series of hearings starting early 2026, focusing on former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into ex-President Donald Trump. The hearings aim to scrutinize the processes and implications of the investigation, which some claim swept up hundreds of innocent individuals based on their political affiliations.

Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, in a statement first shared with POLITICO, criticized the investigation, dubbed "Arctic Frost," as a "runaway train." Grassley emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “Congress and the American people want answers, and sunshine is the best disinfectant.”

The investigation by Smith, which included subpoenas for Republican lawmakers’ phone records as part of an inquiry into attempts to subvert the 2020 election results, has sparked significant controversy. GOP senators have expressed outrage, describing the investigation as a misuse of the Justice Department to target political opponents.

The hearings will be held across four subcommittees, beginning in January 2026. They will focus on various aspects of the investigation, including the response of telecommunications companies to subpoenas, the legal challenges posed by these subpoenas, how judges managed non-disclosure orders, and the overall use of government resources in the probe.

Senators such as Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who claim they were targeted by Smith, are expected to chair some of these subcommittee hearings.

While a specific date has yet to be set for Smith's testimony before the full Senate Judiciary Committee, he is scheduled to appear next Wednesday in a closed session before House Judiciary Committee staff investigators. This committee, led by Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), is similarly examining the broader implications of investigations into the 2020 election interference and Trump's management of classified documents.

The unfolding scenario highlights a deepening divide over the interpretation and potential consequences of Jack Smith’s investigative actions, setting the stage for a highly charged series of congressional hearings aimed at addressing these contentious issues.