Are the Democrats in Congress asking Jack Smith questions are just making speeches?

[crimycarny]

I'm asking this question without sarcasm as I truly don't know. I just started watching. I've seen some short video clips of the testimony (and I'm now watching live), but everything I've seen so far is just the GOP asking gotcha questions and the Democrats making speeches. Personally, I'd like to see the Democrats use some of their time to ask follow-up questions to some of the gotcha questions where the GOP doesn't allow Jack Smith to answer, or attempt to spin unrelated court cases as if Jack Smith is incompetent. So far, it seems that when the Democrats get the microphone, they are just making speeches. But again, I just started watching.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Making speeches. It's what these hearings always turn into. NT

[RockRaven]

2. Televised hearings are always like that.

[crimycarny]

3. Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-Georgia) is actually asking detailed questions

Just as I wrote that, Congresswoman Lucy McBath used her time to ask specific questions about Trump's attempts to interfere in the Georgia election results and played the audio from Trump's phone call asking the Georgia Secretary of State to "find votes".

She used her time well; that's how I wish the rest of the Democrats would use their time. Far more effective than speeches that we've all heard before.

[Bettie]

7. Ask and you shall receive?

Actually chuckling here as that has happened to me more than once.

Great that she is using her time to ask the questions that Republicans don't want the answers to.

Our side should be getting those answers out instead of making speeches.

[Ocelot II]

4. Some of the Democrats are asking questions; others are bringing up important facts.

Jayapal did a good job of this, I think. The GOPers are just grandstanding for MAGA and Trump.

[yellow dahlia]

8. Agreed.

[crimycarny]

9. Good to know -- thank you

I'm supposed to be working, lol (work from home), but I have the live hearing on in the background. Had to join the Live coverage late due to a work meeting. Knowing me, I'd forget to put myself on mute. Got some MAGAs at my workplace.

[Emile]

5. I been watching, and I'm convinced Trump should

be in jail.

[dem4decades]

6. When does Goldman go? I look forward to him.

[creeksneakers2]

10. Most of the time they don't even give him

a chance to respond.

[crimycarny]

11. Ha ha! Love Michael Fanone

Nehls: I would like to quickly address the police officers from January 6th. And I can tell you that the fault does not lie with Donald Trump. It lies with the US capitol leadership team.

Fanone: *Coughs: Go fuck yourself*

— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T19:16:30.899Z