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Transcript reveals Smith's defense of Trump investigations
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee published a 255-page transcript on New Year's Eve documenting former Special Counsel Jack Smith's closed-door testimony, in which he justified his now-dismissed prosecutions of Donald Trump. The release includes nearly eight hours of deposition footage.
Key claims in Smith's testimony
Smith told lawmakers the evidence his team gathered proved Trump "engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results and block the lawful transfer of power." He also stated investigators found "powerful evidence" Trump deliberately kept classified documents after leaving office, storing them at his Florida club in unsecured areas like a ballroom and bathroom.
Smith added that Trump "repeatedly attempted to obstruct justice" to hide his retention of those documents.
Trump's legal battles and political response
Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases, which were dismissed after his 2024 re-election. Since returning to office, he has pushed for investigations into officials who pursued charges against him, including Smith and his team, who were fired after Trump's inauguration.
In a 2024 statement after his indictment in the classified documents case, Trump called it a "dark day for the United States." He has consistently denied wrongdoing related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, claiming the day was "nothing done wrong at all" and labeling it a "day of love." After taking office, Trump pardoned over 1,500 defendants connected to the riot.
Smith's concerns over political retribution
During the December 17 deposition, Smith expressed certainty that Trump "wants to seek retribution" against him and others involved in the cases. He also noted the Justice Department now "wants to seek retribution against anybody who worked on cases against President Trump."
"I have no doubt that the President wants to seek retribution against me."
Jack Smith, former Special Counsel
Controversy over congressional call records
Smith defended his team's request for call records from certain lawmakers, calling it a standard investigative practice. The records, he said, helped establish communication patterns between the White House and Republican lawmakers before and during the January 6 attack.
"The records showed when calls started, when they ended, and who was involved-but not the content," Smith clarified. He added that the records revealed how the White House tried to pressure lawmakers to block certification of the 2020 election results.
Some Republican senators criticized the requests as overreach. In response to an October 2024 indictment outlining Trump's alleged efforts to contact lawmakers, Trump dismissed it as an attempt to "resurrect a 'dead' witch hunt" and interfere with the election.
Background on Smith's appointment
Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel in 2022 to investigate Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Before leaving office, Smith concluded there was sufficient evidence to charge Trump in both the election interference and classified documents cases.
Florida Democrat Jared Moskowitz asked Smith if he believed Trump directed House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan to summon him for the deposition. Smith said he did not know but emphasized he appeared "in good faith."
