A Scene before the Senate Judiciary Committee

September 29, 2026 At a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Jack Smith was questioned about the case charging Trump with using fraud and deceit to overturn the 2020 election results, The courts have interpreted the language in the Constitution that protects speech in Congress broadly, Republicans have used that protection to make outrageous accusations and to spread disinformation, Smith was appointed special counsel by former attorney general Merrick Garland on November 18, 2022, In June 2023 a grand jury indicted Trump on 37 counts but after Trump was reelected Smith dropped Trump from the case, Today’s hearing focused on charges by a federal grand jury in August 2023, Trump challenged the indictment and the Supreme Court largely agreed with him in its Trump v United States decision that gave a president absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions performed as part of his official duties and Smith dismissed the case after Trump was reelected, Today's hearing seems to have been an appeal to either Trump or the MAGA base, Sen Eric Schmitt presented a conspiracy theory which was based on incorrect information, The right wing media ran with his story nonetheless, Smith’s opening statement at the hearing focused on his commitment to facts and the rule of law and emphasized that his actions were based on evidence, He expressed his belief that the rule of law faces extraordinary challenges but also his confidence that the rule of law will endure despite the pressures being put upon it. To read this letter, click here: (https://heathercoxrichardson.substack...) Listen on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2NAihO3...) You can also find Heather at: YouTube (   / @heathercoxrichardson  ) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson...) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxr...) Facebook (  / heathercoxrichardson  ) Threads (https://www.threads.com/@heathercoxri...) TikTok (  / hcrichardson  ) Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe (https://heathercoxrichardson.substack...)