Jack Smith, defending his prosecutions of Donald Trump, says people are threatened with criminal prosecution because they are perceived to have opposed the president, and that the rule of law faces challenges unlike any in our lifetime. Before he speaks, a senator presses the chairman to let Smith finish a sentence, as witnesses from both parties have been allowed.
The receipt
- Who
- Jack Smith
- Where
- hearing - Senate hearing
- Original footage
- Washington Post · watch the full video from this moment
- Length
- 44 seconds, unedited within the cut
Read the transcript
Mr. Chairman, this hearing is of constitutional and historic importance. This witness should be allowed to answer the questions, complete a sentence. We have given that courtesy to witnesses from both political parties, and it should be extended to Mr. Smith. He's not Bambi's baby brother. I will not be silenced by continued threats of prosecution from the president or others. As I appear before you today it is my belief that the rule of law faces challenges unlike any we have experienced in our lifetime. Individuals are threatened with criminal prosecution because they are perceived to have opposed the president.
Machine transcript of the clip's audio; names are checked, small words may differ.