By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee, defending his decision to bring charges against Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith’s testimony followed a previous closed-door interview and focused on his investigation into election interference, including the controversial decision to obtain phone call metadata from Trump-allied lawmakers. Smith justified these actions by stating they were necessary to establish a timeline and emphasized that the investigation was a direct result of Trump’s actions, and not the actions of those lawmakers. He also refuted Republican arguments that his actions were a violation of the First Amendment, asserting that fraudulent activities are not protected.
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Jack Smith testifies evidence showed Trump crimes in 2020 election effort, and frankly, it’s hard to find anyone genuinely surprised by this. The evidence has been out there. We’ve all seen the damning audio, the direct requests for manufactured votes. Anyone still clinging to the belief that Trump didn’t engage in criminal election interference has, well, they’ve been brainwashed. It’s like reliving a scene from a movie; we wanted to believe in the system, in the law, but the reality is often far more complex and frustrating.
Listening to the Republican defenses, the blatant lies, and the constant attempts at misdirection, it’s enough to make anyone’s blood boil. We had a former president essentially asking for fraudulent voting data, and the response was a slow walk through the legal process. This situation leaves a bitter taste and fosters cynicism, especially considering the current state of politics.
The blame for the current state of affairs lies with everyone. As we move into the future, and considering the lack of cohesive strategy from the Democrats, things are unlikely to change soon. The very structure of our representative democracy, where a select few dictate to millions, is being questioned. There’s a longing for a system where the voices of the many truly shape the direction of the country.
The strength of Jack Smith is undeniable. It’s almost comical to watch figures like Jim Jordan attempt to discredit him, considering Jordan’s own involvement, at least indirectly, in the events of January 6th. The facts, the evidence, they often seem irrelevant to those who still support Trump. The fundamental questions remain: Will there be consequences? Where is justice? Where do the laws apply equally to everyone?
The failure of the world’s rules-based order, and the hypocrisy of the powerful, has created this current situation. Americans are left wondering what consequences await anyone not within the wealthiest 1% when they break the law. The blatant disregard for the law and the repeated use of political power for personal gain is alarming. It’s hard not to feel a sense of despair when faced with the reality that, even with undeniable evidence, accountability seems elusive.
The fact that Trump was even considered as a candidate is a major failure. If the special prosecutor was appointed immediately, Trump may be in prison. The delay in the process is a failure that will be noted in history. But this delay is not solely the fault of one person. The Supreme Court and other Republican allies within the judiciary would have likely slowed things down, regardless. The political will to act has always been a factor, a consequence of the 2016 election.
The frustration surrounding the legal processes and the apparent lack of accountability is understandable. Many blame figures like Merrick Garland, and rightfully so. The fact remains: the government has a high conviction rate precisely because they only pursue cases where they are overwhelmingly confident of a win. This is why the actions of Trump were so damaging. The detailed investigations and high standards for evidence are necessary to avoid legal technicalities, but the overall result of inaction is frustrating.
There is a sense of betrayal, especially regarding the perceived cowardice in the face of blatant wrongdoing. This is most clear in the fact that, after a coup attempt, Trump was allowed to continue to campaign. It’s hard to find anything positive surrounding Biden’s presidency because of this singular decision.
The issue of the legal system’s perceived lack of teeth is understandable, which has led to a feeling of entitlement among some who believe laws don’t apply to them. Their reality is the only one that counts. People are upset because they keep getting their hopes up at every lower court ruling, hoping it will be enforced, and then getting disappointed when the process is never truly final.
Trump’s appointments are meant to undermine the whole department. The Trump administration also failed to suppress protests and crack down on dissent. By the time Biden took office, his platform was hobbled and we did not get much done.
The conclusion is that the situation is a consequence of several factors. People are frustrated because they see the law not applying equally to everyone, the political will for justice being lacking, and a general sense of disappointment.