Former Kosovo Specialist Chambers Chief Prosecutor Jack Smith continued his testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, where he faced extensive questioning from Republican senators over his investigations and prosecutions involving U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the hearing, Republican Senator Eric Schmitt also questioned Smith about his previous role as Chief Prosecutor of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, where he oversaw the prosecution of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi.
“Okay. So after losing all these high-profile cases in America, you went to The Hague, is that right? And you prosecuted the President of Kosovo in 2020?” Schmitt asked, according to the exchange reported by Kosovo media.
Smith replied: “Yes, and he has just been convicted of over 300 acts of torture and 96 murders.”
The figures Smith cited correspond to the September 16, 2026 judgment by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. The Trial Panel found Thaçi and his three co-defendants criminally responsible for war crimes involving torture against 303 people and murder of 96 people, among other findings. Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Schmitt then continued with another direct question: “And then you got the opportunity to come back and get Trump, is that right?”
The exchange brought renewed attention to Smith’s previous work at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and his subsequent return to the United States, where he served as special counsel overseeing two federal criminal investigations involving Trump. Both cases were later dismissed.
The Senate hearing on Tuesday focused primarily on Smith’s investigations of Trump and allegations by Republican senators that he had abused his authority. Smith defended his actions and rejected claims that his investigations were politically motivated.
