Chaos overtook former special counsel Jack Smith’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday after a heated confrontation in the hearing room involving former Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone.
One of the outbursts occurred during a recess in Smith’s first public appearance since stepping down as special counsel. Fanone, who has become a prominent public figure following the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach, was seated behind Smith alongside other officers who responded to the unrest that day.
Fanone became visibly agitated during an exchange with Ivan Raiklin, a former Green Beret and outspoken critic of the January 6 narrative who was also present in the hearing room. Witnesses say the confrontation escalated quickly, prompting Capitol Police to intervene.
Fanone could be heard shouting, “This guy has threatened my family,” before storming out of the room. He was temporarily removed for disorderly conduct before later being allowed back inside.
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Who thinks I should sue Mr. Fanone for defamation? pic.twitter.com/ZyoctE0fR1
— Ivan Raiklin (@IvanRaiklin) January 22, 2026
Disruptions came amid an already tense and deeply partisan hearing, as Republicans grilled Smith over his now-abandoned prosecutions of President Donald Trump. Smith defended his decisions to pursue charges related to Trump’s actions following the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents, insisting politics played no role in his legal judgments.
Republicans on the committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, sharply disputed that claim. GOP members argued Smith’s investigations were politically motivated and weaponized against Trump, especially given that both cases were ultimately dropped after Trump’s 2024 election victory in accordance with Justice Department policy barring prosecution of a sitting president.
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Tensions escalated when Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) addressed the role of law enforcement leadership on January 6, stating that responsibility for the security failures did not lie with Trump but with Capitol leadership.
Fanone audibly reacted from the audience, at one point appearing to curse at Nehls and later flipping him off. Nehls responded sharply, telling Fanone he needed to be “medicated,” drawing gasps from the room.
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“That is proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the crap you were shoveling did not pass the smell test with the American people,” Nehls said. “To put it bluntly, Mr. Smith, the stink remains on you.”
“Lastly, I would like to quickly address the police officers of January 6th. Mr. Dunn, Mr. Fanone, Mr. Gonel, Mr. Hodges, I’m a member of the new select committee to actually examine, actually examine what happened that day. And I can tell you, gentlemen, that the fault does not lie with Donald Trump. It lies with Yogananda Pittman and the U .S. Capitol leadership team.”
Fanone then *coughed, “go f*ck yourself!”
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* pic.twitter.com/3ILJldB6k2
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 22, 2026
Despicable J6th Police Officer Michael Fanone flips off Republican Members during the hearing, and @RepTroyNehls told him he needs to be on medication 😂 pic.twitter.com/KwUz2fUFSj
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) January 22, 2026
Fanone is a retired Washington, D.C., police officer who became nationally known for his role during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. A longtime member of the Metropolitan Police Department, Fanone spent much of his career working as an undercover and vice officer before responding to the chaos at the Capitol.
After recovering, he testified publicly about the attack, including before the House committee investigating January 6, and emerged as a prominent media commentator and outspoken critic of efforts to minimize the violence that day.
