Asked whether he developed evidence that Donald Trump was responsible for the violence at the Capitol on January 6, Smith did not say yes or no. He said Trump caused the circumstances, exploited the violence once it began, and understood what it was doing for him. That answer is now at the center of a political firestorm because the Justice Department released the full 255-page transcript of Smith's closed-door testimony late on New Year's Eve, a timing that guaranteed selective reading and rapid political framing.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (l.) is facing a challenge in the November general election from independent candidate Diana Florence (c.) and Republican nominee Maud Maron. Photos by Max Parrott and provided by Florence and Maron campaigns While most Manhattanites are focused on the mayoral race this November, they will also get to decide whether to re-elect incumbent Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg or replace him with one of two candidates challenging him for the key law enforcement post.