Jack Smith says the January 6 attack would not have happened without Donald Trump, calling him the most responsible figure in the effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Jack Smith says the January 6 attack would not have happened without Donald Trump, calling him the most responsible figure in the effort to overturn the 2020 election.

In newly released deposition testimony, the former special counsel said the evidence showed Trump knowingly spread false fraud claims, directed allies’ actions, and then refused to stop the violence as it unfolded.

“The evidence here made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy,” Smith said. “These crimes were committed for his benefit.” Smith said the evidence showed Trump’s actions directly led to the Capitol riot. “The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him,” Smith said. “The other co-conspirators were doing this for his benefit….the story still unfolding 👇👇

Jack Smith Says January 6 Attack ‘Does Not Happen Without Trump’ in Newly Released Testimony

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly released deposition testimony from former Special Counsel Jack Smith has reignited debate over accountability for the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, with Smith arguing that the evidence pointed overwhelmingly to Donald Trump as the central figure behind efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

According to the testimony, Smith said investigators found substantial evidence that Trump knowingly promoted false claims of widespread election fraud, coordinated efforts to challenge the election results, and failed to take immediate action to stop the violence once it erupted at the Capitol.

“The evidence here made clear that President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy,” Smith said. “These crimes were committed for his benefit.”

Smith further argued that the events of January 6 were directly tied to Trump’s actions and influence in the weeks leading up to the attack.

“The attack that happened at the Capitol does not happen without him,” Smith stated, adding that other alleged co-conspirators were acting with the goal of keeping Trump in power despite his election defeat.

The testimony has sparked renewed political and legal discussion across the country, with supporters of Trump rejecting Smith’s conclusions and continuing to argue that the former president did not incite violence. Critics, however, say the remarks reinforce concerns about the unprecedented effort to challenge the results of the 2020 election.

As the fallout from the testimony continues, analysts say its release could further shape public debate over the legacy of January 6 and the broader questions of presidential accountability. With investigations, court proceedings, and political battles still influencing the national conversation, many observers believe the full story of the events surrounding the Capitol attack is still unfolding.