It’s the moment that has captivated Washington and the nation: Former Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, in a session that promises fireworks from both sides of the aisle. The hearing, scheduled for Thursday morning, will delve into Smith's controversial attempt to prosecute former President Donald Trump for his actions surrounding the 2020 election.

Smith, in his testimony, is expected to robustly defend his actions, asserting that failing to prosecute would have been a dereliction of his duties. “I made my decisions without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election,” Smith will state, according to advance copies of his remarks obtained by POLITICO. He will also emphasize that the evidence collected during the investigation conclusively showed Trump violated laws he had sworn to uphold.

However, the charges against Trump were ultimately dropped after his 2024 reelection victory, due to DOJ policies against indicting a sitting president. This has not stopped the controversy, with a sealed second volume of Smith’s report stirring further intrigue after Trump called for the sealing order to be made permanent.

On the Republican side, Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has criticized Smith’s efforts as politically motivated, describing them as part of a broader "weaponization of government" against Trump. The hearing, initially set to be behind closed doors, was opened to the public, allowing a broader audience to witness the intense cross-examinations expected from GOP members, particularly concerning Smith's handling of phone records of several GOP senators.

Democrats, meanwhile, are gearing up to highlight what they see as clear evidence of wrongdoing by Trump. Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) expressed enthusiasm about the public nature of the testimony, which he believes will allow Americans to understand the full extent of Trump’s alleged attempts to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power.

Beyond the immediate drama of the Judiciary Committee, Capitol Hill remains a hub of activity with other significant developments. The House GOP leadership is working through a challenging day as they attempt to pass the final fiscal 2026 spending bills, amidst internal disagreements. Additionally, a crucial vote is set to take place regarding a measure to limit Trump’s military actions in Venezuela, with the outcome hanging in the balance as a few key Republican votes remain undecided.

As these pivotal events unfold, the nation watches closely, with the outcomes likely to have lasting impacts on the political landscape and public trust in governmental processes.