Wow, have the tables turned! Jack Smith is struggling to present a public testimony amid GOP scrutiny, but the truth may be catching up with him!
Former special counsel Jack Smith, who led the high-profile federal investigations into President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election, is seeking greater transparency in his interactions with Congress. In a letter sent Thursday to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Smith's attorneys renewed their call for him to testify in an open public hearing and requested the full release of his recent closed-door deposition transcript and recording.
This development comes just days after Smith spent approximately nine hours in a private session with the committee on December 17, where he defended his prosecutorial decisions. The request underscores Smith's desire to counter what his team describes as widespread "mischaracterizations" of his work, particularly as he faces intensified Republican criticism and direct threats from Trump, who has publicly called for Smith to be investigated and imprisoned.
In the letter, obtained by multiple outlets including Axios and Politico, attorneys Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski emphasized Smith's commitment to his role: "During the investigation of President Trump, Mr. Smith steadfastly followed Justice Department policies, observed all legal requirements, and took actions based on the facts and the law. He stands by his decisions."
They argued that a public hearing would allow Americans to hear directly from Smith, rather than relying on "second-hand accounts." The lawyers also urged Jordan to promptly release the complete video and transcript of the December 17 deposition.
Smith's push for openness contrasts with the committee's approach under Jordan, who subpoenaed Smith in October amid allegations of "prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional abuses." Republicans have accused Smith's team of overreach, including unnecessarily raiding Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, attempting to silence the former president, and improperly handling evidence. The probe is part of a broader GOP effort to examine what they call the "weaponization" of the Justice Department during the Biden administration.
During his closed-door testimony, portions of which have been reported by outlets such as CNN and NBC News, Smith reportedly took full responsibility for the charging decisions, attributing the basis for those charges to Trump's actions. "The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts," Smith stated in his opening remarks.
Smith's two federal cases against Trump—one alleging mishandling of classified documents and the other charging conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election- never reached trial. Both were effectively halted following Trump's victory in the 2024 election, in line with longstanding DOJ policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Smith's office wound down operations shortly thereafter.
The intrigue surrounding Smith's request lies in the political stakes. Trump has continued to rail against Smith, labeling his investigations a "witch hunt" and vowing retribution against those involved. Meanwhile, Democrats on the committee, led by Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), have supported public testimony, arguing it would provide full context and prevent selective leaks.
Jordan's office has not yet commented on the latest letter, and it remains unclear whether a public hearing will be granted. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that while some Republicans have floated the idea of future open sessions, the preference has been for private depositions to build a detailed record.
As congressional oversight intensifies in the new Trump era, Smith's bid for a public platform highlights ongoing tensions over accountability, transparency, and the legacy of investigations into the former and now current president. Whether the American public will hear directly from the man who once sought to hold Trump criminally accountable remains to be seen.
Final Word – What you sow you shall also reap! Think this is just a fable, ask Jack Smith.
Replies
At this point I don't believe anyone is going to get what should be coming to them. These situations always fall apart for one reason or another. It's all just going through the motions and nothing amounts to anything.