Jack Smith: ‘I Am Not a Politician and I Have No Partisan Loyalty’

TRANSCRIPT:

SMITH: "Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss my work as special counsel. I’ve been fortunate to serve a country that I love for nearly 30 years in local, national and international settings. My service has spanned both Republican and Democratic administrations. I am not a politician and I have no partisan loyalty. My career has been dedicated to serving our country by upholding the rule of law and the core principles upon which our country was founded. I believe there is no role for politics in the proper administration of justice. A prosecutor’s decisions must be based on the facts and the law. The status, power, prominence or political affiliation of the subject of an investigation must play no role in the decision to investigate, prosecute or decline to prosecute. I approached my role as special counsel following these principles. The Special Counsel’s Office followed Justice Department policy, observed legal requirements and took actions based on the facts and the law."