Former special counsel Jack Smith stands by decision to prosecute Trump, testifies on 'serious crimes'

Former special counsel Jack Smith recently affirmed his decision to prosecute Donald Trump during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 29, 2026. Smith asserted that his investigation yielded proof "beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in serious crimes against our nation," including charges related to handling classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He defended his actions as non-partisan, emphasizing that his prosecutorial decisions were based solely on facts and law, independent of Trump's political standing or affiliation. Smith also stated he would not be "silenced by continued threats of prosecution" from the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration's economic and immigration policies are facing renewed scrutiny. On the trade front, President Trump announced new tariffs on Canadian imports in early September 2026, prompting retaliatory measures from Canada. Concurrently, the U.S. and China unveiled a new "30-for-30" framework to reduce tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods, following a state visit by President Xi, aimed at easing previous trade tensions.

In immigration, the administration's "third-country removal policy," which deports migrants to countries with no ties to them, continues to spark debate. A U.S. federal appeals court in September 2026 largely rejected this policy, ruling that migrants require a "meaningful" opportunity to voice safety concerns before such deportations. The Trump administration has since asked the Supreme Court to freeze this lower court order as it pursues an appeal, with the policy having led to approximately 5,000 deportations to "third countries" since 2025.