BOOM: In a shocking moment, Rep. Joe Neguse interrupts the hearing to read Donald Trump’s Truth Social meltdown on LIVE TV – calling Jack Smith a “deranged animal.” This is a disaster for Republicans.

During a highly anticipated House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring former special counsel Jack Smith’s first public testimony about his now-dropped investigations into President Donald Trump, Colorado Democrat Rep. Joe Neguse created a dramatic moment by directly quoting a real-time Truth Social post from the president.

As Smith defended the integrity of his probes into Trump’s actions following the 2020 election and classified documents case, Neguse interrupted to highlight what he described as live intimidation.

He read aloud Trump’s fresh post: “Deranged Jack Smith is being decimated before Congress… Jack Smith is a deranged animal who shouldn’t be allowed to practice law. Hopefully the Attorney General is looking at what he’s done… A big price should be paid.”

Neguse turned to Smith and asked if he was aware of the president “live-truth-socialing” during the proceedings. Smith calmly responded that he was not aware and had nothing to add.

Democrats seized on the episode as evidence of improper pressure on the justice system, with Neguse calling it “corruption” and “weaponization” in reverse.

Republicans, who used the hearing to criticize Smith’s methods and past cases, largely downplayed the post as typical presidential commentary.

The exchange underscored the deep partisan divide surrounding Trump’s legal battles, now that his administration has dismissed the federal cases.

🚨BOOM: In a shocking moment, Rep. Joe Neguse interrupts the hearing to read Donald Trump’s Truth Social meltdown on LIVE TV – calling Jack Smith a “deranged animal.” This is a disaster for Republicans. pic.twitter.com/9oIdB6eU2G

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 22, 2026

Smith reiterated his belief that the rule of law must withstand such attacks, warning that Americans should not take it for granted.

The moment quickly went viral on social media, with critics labeling it a self-inflicted embarrassment for Republicans as Trump’s unfiltered rhetoric played out in real time on Capitol Hill.