Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Attends 'Power to the People' Festival in 'No Kings' Shirt

Key points

• Jack Smith attended the 'Power to the People' festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
• Smith was photographed wearing a 'No Kings' t-shirt and later a Bruce Springsteen 'Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour' shirt.
• Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters dedicated the song 'My Hero' to Smith, referring to him as 'my new friend Jack.'
• Smith was seen shaking hands and taking selfies with concertgoers, including a hug from a fan named Cindy Marselis Lundeen.
• The event followed Smith's September 29 Senate Judiciary Committee testimony, where he defended his dismissed criminal cases against President Trump.

Background

Jack Smith, the former special counsel, recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 29, 2026. During the hearing, he defended his decision to charge President Donald Trump in the 2020 election interference case, stating he would not be silenced by threats of prosecution. The hearing was marked by combative exchanges and notable factual errors by Republican senators, including Sen. Eric Schmitt's confusion regarding a basketball game. Smith's prosecutions were dropped after Trump was re-elected in 2024, but House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan referred Smith to the Justice Department in July, alleging he made 'intentionally false statements.'

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost and The Washington Times focused on Smith's 'No Kings' t-shirt as a symbolic statement against Trump, framing him as a 'MAGA antagonist' and a figure of resistance. Asbury Park Press highlighted his appearance in a Bruce Springsteen shirt, emphasizing his connection to the artist's anti-ICE and anti-DOJ messages. Consequence of Sound focused on the musical tribute from Dave Grohl, noting the dedication of 'My Hero' to Smith. All outlets agreed on the basic facts of his attendance and the Grohl tribute, but differed in emphasis: HuffPost and Washington Times framed it as political defiance, while Asbury Park Press framed it as a cultural alignment with Springsteen's activism.

Why it matters

Smith's public appearance at a pro-democracy festival signals his continued engagement with the political narrative surrounding his dismissed prosecutions of Trump. It highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and its critics, and the use of cultural events as platforms for political messaging. The event also underscores the public's interest in Smith's role and the controversies surrounding his investigations.

What to watch

The Justice Department's response to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan's referral of Smith for prosecution will be a key development. Additionally, the political fallout from Smith's Senate testimony and the GOP's continued push for an inquiry into his conduct will likely shape future legislative and legal discussions.