Mark your calendars, because both “Gym” Jordan and Jack Smith have confirmed that “It’s ON! Smith will appear in a public hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22. I have to admit I’m surprised. From the beginning Smith has wanted to testify publicly and Jordan fought it tooth and nail. I was skeptical when news recently broke that Smith would testify at a public hearing ‘before the and of the month.’Â Even though Jordan, along with Smith confirmed a date would be worked out I figured Jordan would find some way of weaseling out. Now? It’s going to be damned near impossible.
Multiple outlets including Reuters have published the hearing details.  So, on the 22nd, a week from Thursday I will be planted in front of the TV at 10am to see what we should already have seen long ago. Smith as I’ve noted wanted this from the get-go. He knew what the GOP would try to do if it was a closed door hearing. In the end Jordan got his way and Smith spent a full day testifying in private.
Then, exactly as Smith and EVERYONE knew would happen Republicans tried to take snippets of the testimony and paint Smith as not having anything on Trump. Characterizations like ‘uncertain’, ‘confused’, ‘evasive’ etc. were tossed out. Jordan of course waited (following former AG Bill Barr’s antics with the Mueller report) to release the actual transcript. This hearing was videotaped so that too just sat there while Republicans spun their web of lies. However Democrats on the Committee were prepared from the get-go. Like I said everyone knew what the GOP (and Fox) would try to do so with each bullshit statement made by Republicans to discredit Smith there were Democrats led by Jamie Raskin punching back.
Jordan tried to emulate Barr and plant a false narrative in the public’s mind. He failed which is no surprise. Whatever you think of Barr the fact is he was a massively gifted attorney and DC political fighter with legal, political and news outlet connections Jordan can only dream of. What surprised me was how quickly Jordan realized he’d failed to do what he wanted. He DID pull a stunt by releasing the video and full transcript on freaking New Year’s Eve. However if he thought that would bury the matter within days he knew that too had failed.
Hence the discussions between him and Smith that led to what seems now set in stone for next week. If you can, make arrangements to watch. If you can’t set your DVR to record. Admittedly I don’t have much but I’d bet it all that it will be compelling. And VERY bad for Trump. The one fly in the ointment is one GOPers tried to make hay out of from the private hearing. Special Counsel Reports are by tradition/practice released but only the first half of Smith’s has been. Judge Aileen “Loose” Canon has ordered the second part covering the classified documents CRIMES to remain under seal even though the case has been closed. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but Trump long ago pardoned his co-defendants so charges against them can’t be refiled.
Despite that Canon refused to lift her order and the 4th Circuit which at times moved with what for a federal appellate court with surprising speed to slap her down more than once has been taking its sweet time issuing a decision to force her to lift that appalling ‘gag order.” Cross your fingers and hope that between now and Smith’s public hearing they will order that second half of Smith’s report released. I can assure you Smith will be fully prepared to talk about it. Jordan and the GOP? Not so much although I’d be surprised if they haven’t been given access to it.
Regardless, I’m thinking the GOP figures they got in a ‘practice round’ questioning Smith and hammering him to answer questions he’s not allowed to answer. Remember when I said he’d been accused of being confused, hesitant, evasive and so on? I’ll bet they’ve sat down with Committee Counsel and worked out a ‘strategy’ to “get him this time.’ Here’s the thing. SMITH got some practice himself! He knows what’s coming and will nail the pitch like a home run champion hitting a fastball down the middle in batting practice.
If you’ve watched the private deposition it’s clear Smith wasn’t the least bit rattled. His demeanor wasn’t quite relaxed but he was clearly comfortable. At ease, just sitting there like he was have a discussion across the table. I think we will see a very different Jack Smith next week. He will have his game face on and be the professional prosecutor he once was. He will comport himself like he would in court. Jordan and the GOP won’t know what hit him, especially since committee Democrats will be running interference.
I’d be very surprised if Smith doesn’t wipe the floor with Trump and the GOP next week. And while it’s all likely meant to distract from the Epstein files and Trump’s losing control of the immigration/deportation issue and other huge problems it might become THE big story for a few days. And worse for Trump, keep lingering on. It could even impact the midterms if Democrats use opponent’s support of Trump’s Big Lie against them!
So, as I said do what you can to ‘clear decks’ and watch next week. It could be a game changer.
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
Gymbag Jordan will sit there in his shirt (the manly look, apparently) when he should be donning a flak jacket: Jack Smith has prosecuted bigtime scum while at the International Criminal Court, so whiny Jordan and his array of cowardly flunkies will present very little challenge. The contrast between a professional, dedicated public servant and a gang of poseurs and bullshitters will be most entertaining, albeit a sad commentary of the state of our nation.
It’s going to be like watching a bunch of hamsters going up against a lion.