Jussie Smollett has found a defender in Rep. Maxine Waters Maxine Moore WatersPowell, Mnuchin stress limits of current emergency lending programs Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Omar invokes father's death from coronavirus in reaction to Woodward book MORE — the California Democrat says dropping felony charges against the "Empire" actor was the right move.

"It’s the correct thing that the charges were dropped," Waters said in a Sunday interview with "Extra" at the NAACP Image Awards. Waters was honored with the Chairman's Award, while Smollett was nominated, but lost, for his work on the Fox series.

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"First of all, we probably will never know all of the details. We’ve heard a lot of information," said Waters. "No one was hurt — that is, physically, killed, shot — he never committed a crime before, he forfeited the bail and it’s this kind of situation where they close the case all over the country every day. I have learned this isn't unusual."

The 36-year-old performer had been charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report after he told Chicago police in January he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack.

Smollett had said he was assaulted by two men who beat him, placed a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him as they yelled racial and homophobic slurs. He later told authorities that the two alleged assailants also shouted the pro-Trump phrase, “This is MAGA country!”

Last month, Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts by a grand jury in Cook County, Illinois, with Chicago police saying he had orchestrated the attack on himself to boost his "Empire" salary.

But in a widely unexpected and controversial move, prosecutors there dropped the charges last week. Smollett has maintained his innocence.

President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE, who had denounced the attack when it was first reported, said Thursday that the FBI and Justice Department will "review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago," which he called "an embarrassment to our Nation."

At Sunday's awards show in Hollywood, Waters, 80, called Smollett "an extremely talented man who people have come to love because he is on TV."

"I’m hopeful that he will go on with his career and be successful," said the House Financial Services Committee chairwoman. Waters, who told the entertainment news program that she hasn't spoken to Smollett since the charges were dropped, said she would "love" to have the chance. "I am looking forward to seeing him very soon," Waters said.