The Jack Smith Senate Hearing S5E119 10.07.2026

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Sierra, from THE Ohio State University, writes: As a law student who also minors in Political Science, I watched the Senate hearings with Jack Smith knowing full well they were designed more for spectacle than for any meaningful insight into the investigations. Even with that expectation, I was stunned. The Republicans managed to embarrass themselves at nearly every turn. Missouri’s Eric Schmitt couldn’t get the city, the state, the league, or even the league’s gender right, one of the most blatant displays of incompetence I’ve seen in a congressional hearing. And Darlene Graham’s exchange with Smith was remarkable for all the wrong reasons: she showed little grasp of the investigative process, only for Smith to politely praise her brother and note that Lindsey Graham would have been a witness for the prosecution. That moment alone could be taught in a seminar on unforced political errors. I won’t even get into Senator Kennedy and his “throw up in my mouth” remark. But credit where it’s due: Amy Klobuchar stood her ground amid a panel of testosterone‑charged Republicans trying to score points instead of asking substantive questions. So, here’s what I’m wrestling with: why hold a hearing like this so close to the midterms? What was the strategic logic? Did Republicans genuinely think they had a compelling argument, or was this simply a last‑minute attempt at distraction? If it was the latter, it backfired, and badly. Instead of shifting attention, they highlighted exactly the weaknesses they hoped to obscure. What was the panel's impression of the clown show? Support the show The Nova Society Podcast In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects , where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channe l Past episodes & read our blog Here . JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes Spotify ...