Congressman Harris Denounces Jack Smith’s Alleged Politicization of Justice Department in Trump Cases

By Nicole Weatherholtz | Thursday, 22 January 2026 01:13 PM EST

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., stated on Thursday that he does not believe former special counsel Jack Smith has no partisan loyalties, arguing Smith’s record demonstrates a different narrative.

During a break in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Harris criticized Smith for what he called the politicization of federal law enforcement. Harris described how prosecutors should only bring cases when there is clear criminal conduct, not political motivation. “Anytime somebody is going to be charged and prosecuted, you want there to have been a crime,” he said.

The congressman argued that Smith’s investigations into former President Donald Trump did not meet this standard. Harris claimed Smith worked backward from a conclusion rather than following the facts. “He was looking for ways to try to prove something that actually didn’t happen,” Harris stated.

Harris added that Smith’s approach damages public trust in the justice system, calling it “tragic” that prosecutors are “put in a bad light” by politicized conduct. He urged Smith to be held accountable for his actions.

During his opening statement earlier that day, Smith maintained he acted without political bias—a claim Harris rejected outright. “No, that’s not the reputation that Jack Smith has built,” Harris said. “And that’s not the reputation he brings into this hearing today.”

Harris highlighted questioning by Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., noting Kiley’s focus on decisions Smith made that were later overturned and actions targeting state officials. The congressman encouraged viewers to follow the Judiciary Committee hearing as it resumed in the afternoon.