WASHINGTON (TNND) — Former special counsel Jack Smith publicly testified for the first time on Thursday to the House Judiciary Committee, defending his two criminal investigations of President Donald Trump.

During a closed-door session in December, Smith defended his probes to Congress and said his team developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The case was dropped by Smith after Trump won reelection in 2024.

Smith also reportedly said there was “powerful evidence” the president kept highly classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, after leaving office in 2021.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, led the hearing and opened by accusing Smith and others of being out to "get" Trump through his criminal cases.

“It was always about politics and to get President Trump. They were willing to do just about anything,” Jordan said at the beginning of the hearing, while also claiming it was an effort to ensure Trump wouldn't be reelected in 2024.

The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin, offered an opposing statement and praised Smith for condemning Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

“Donald Trump says you’re a criminal and you belong in prison,” Raskin said. “Not because you did anything wrong – but because you did everything right. You pursued the facts, you followed the law.”

After being sworn in, Smith emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law and reiterated that his decisions were based on evidence and legal requirements, not political affiliations.

I am not a politician, and I have no partisan loyalties," Smith said. "My career has been dedicated to serving our country by upholding the rule of law. Throughout my public service, my approach has always been the same. Follow the facts and the law without fear or favor.

"During my tenure as Special Counsel, we followed Justice Department policies, we observed legal requirements and took actions based on the facts and the law," he continued. "I made my decisions without regard to President Trump's political association, activities, beliefs or candidacy."

Trump responded to the hearing on Truth Social by calling Smith "deranged" and stating he was being "decimated before Congress."

"It was over when they discussed his past failures and unfair prosecutions. He destroyed many lives under the guise of legitimacy," Trump said. "Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldn’t be allowed to practice Law. If he were a Republican, his license would be taken away from him, and far worse!"

Four former and current officers who responded to the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, also appeared at the hearing in the front row behind Smith.

Raskin acknowledged Michael Fanone, Harry Dunn, Aquilino Gonell and Daniel Hodges at the start of the hearing.

Republicans have argued for years that the investigations into the president were part of an effort to harm him, although the Biden administration, which appointed Smith, rejected the idea. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said when he named Smith that the special counsel was going to use “independent prosecutorial judgment” to decide whether to press charges.

Just before the New Year, the House Judiciary Committee released a 255-page transcript, as well as the 8-hour and 20-minute video, of its closed-door deposition with Smith.

“The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis for nine of those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the 10 indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts,” the former special counsel said.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and called Smith a "thug," a "failed prosecutor," and a "bad man."