Republicans had their opportunity to confront Jack Smith, the former special counsel who brought criminal charges against President Donald Trump. However, during Thursday's House Judiciary Committee hearing, significant blows were notably absent as GOP members primarily targeted procedural aspects of Smith's investigation rather than the core allegations of election interference.

The hearing revealed that Republicans questioned Smith's integrity based on his affiliations and procedural decisions, including his oath of office and payments to confidential sources. Notably, Smith was grilled on his connections within the Justice Department and the constitutionality of his investigative tactics.

Committee chair Rep. Jim Jordan criticized long-standing Democratic efforts against Trump, framing the hearing as a continuation of a decade-long political pursuit. This stance highlighted the Republicans' discomfort with directly addressing Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election results, which led to a violent siege on the Capitol.

Democrats, on the other hand, utilized the hearing to reinforce the legitimacy of Smith's findings. Rep. Jamie Raskin emphasized the avoidance of substantial discussion by Republicans as an attempt to "dirty up" the investigation while steering clear of the incontrovertible facts of Trump's actions.

The most pointed critique came not from the committee members but from Trump himself, who, during a trip to Europe, labeled Smith a "deranged animal" unfit to practice law, through posts on social media platforms.

Despite the heated exchanges and personal attacks, Smith maintained a composed demeanor, defending the non-political nature of his investigative process and decisions. He warned of the dangers of undermining the rule of law, suggesting that failing to hold accountable those who attempt to subvert election results could lead to future threats to democracy.

Democrats, feeling vindicated by Smith's testimony, are now pushing for a continuation of the hearings, especially once a detailed report on the classified documents case against Trump is unsealed, potentially shedding more light on the allegations.

The hearing also revisited the events of January 6, with emotional moments including confrontations involving former Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone. The presence of controversial figures like Stewart Rhodes, a convicted rioter whose sentence was commuted by Trump, added to the charged atmosphere.

Ultimately, the day underscored a clear divide in how Republicans and Democrats view the implications of Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. While Democrats pointed to a calculated campaign to usurp Biden’s victory, Republicans remained focused on questioning the legitimacy of the investigation’s processes, largely bypassing the substantive issues at hand.