WATCH: Rep. Jordan makes opening statement in Jack Smith hearing

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, made an opening statement Thursday in a hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith, who led investigations into President Donald Trump’s mishandling of classified documents and role in the Jan. 6 attack.

"It was always about politics, and to get President Trump, they were willing to do just about anything," Jordan said at the start of his remarks.

The hearing is an opportunity for the career prosecutor to publicly offer his inside perspective on the investigations, which both led to unprecedented indictments. Both were scuttled once it was clear that Trump would return to the Oval Office; Department of Justice policy prevents prosecution of a sitting president.

Republicans and the president have accused Smith of pursuing a politically motivated case against the president. Trump has denied wrongdoing while attacking Smith, calling him a "criminal" who ought to be investigated and "put in prison."

Smith defended his investigations in an hourslong closed-door meeting with lawmakers in December, saying he said he had "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" of what his investigations laid out. He’s denied accusations of bias.

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