In his opening statement, Smith defended his decision as special counsel to indict Trump in two separate federal criminal cases.
“As I testify before the committee today, I want to be clear I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the decision to bring charges against President Trump. Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity," Smith said.
He said if he were asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, he would do so regardless of whether the president was a Democrat or a Republican.
"No one should be above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did," Smith said.
