12/18/25 Jack Smith Stands His Ground as Trump Escalates Toward Venezuela

Special Counsel Jack Smith breaks his silence in a closed-door House deposition, defending the Trump prosecutions and making clear the charging decisions were his alone — not political, not directed. Meanwhile, Trump sparks a nationalist backlash abroad after claiming Venezuela “stole” U.S. oil fields, prompting naval escorts and fresh defiance as blockade threats loom. One story about the rule of law at home — another about power projection and consequences overseas.