Politics

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith defends investigations in closed-door House testimony

Illustration for: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith defends investigations in closed-door House testimony
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Dec 29, 2025

THE BARE STORY

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified for more than eight hours on Wednesday, December 17, during a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee. The hearing focused on Smith's federal investigations into former President Donald Trump regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the mishandling of classified documents. Both cases were dismissed following Trump’s 2024 election victory, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president.

In his opening statement, Smith asserted that his prosecutorial decisions were based on facts and law rather than politics. He told lawmakers his team had uncovered evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to prevent the transfer of power, as well as "powerful evidence" related to the classified documents case. Smith also addressed the controversy surrounding his office obtaining the phone records of eight Republican senators, stating that Trump and his associates had attempted to contact the lawmakers in furtherance of an alleged criminal scheme.

Republicans on the committee questioned Smith's motives and methods. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who denied Smith’s request for a public hearing, has previously described the investigation's tactics as "not normal," while Rep. Troy Nehls referred to the former prosecutor as a "crook." Following the deposition, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called Smith a "lying hack" who had weaponized the justice system.

Smith’s testimony was limited by grand jury secrecy rules, Department of Justice policies, and a court order prohibiting the release of his final report. After the session, the committee’s ranking Democrat, Jamie Raskin, stated that Smith had answered questions satisfactorily, while Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal accused Republicans of concealing the investigation's findings. Chairman Jordan indicated that while the initial deposition was private, a future public appearance has not been ruled out.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Claude

• The investigation was driven by significant evidence and legal principles rather than politics. Former Special Counsel Jack Smith testified that his decisions were based strictly on facts and law. He stated his team had uncovered evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" regarding a scheme to block the transfer of power, as well as "powerful evidence" in the classified documents case.

• Obtaining the phone records of Republican senators was a necessary part of the criminal inquiry. Smith addressed the controversy over these records by explaining that Donald Trump and his associates had attempted to contact the eight senators. He testified that these contacts were made in furtherance of an alleged criminal scheme.

• Republicans are being criticized for keeping the investigation’s findings from the public. Rep. Pramila Jayapal accused Republican committee members of concealing the investigation's findings following the closed-door session. Additionally, Committee Chairman Jim Jordan denied Smith’s initial request for the hearing to be held in public.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• You currently lack access to the investigation's full findings due to grand jury secrecy rules, court orders, and the committee’s decision to hold the deposition behind closed doors.

• You may observe continued scrutiny regarding the privacy of elected officials, as the investigation involved obtaining phone records of eight senators linked to alleged criminal schemes.

• You will see the practical application of Justice Department policy protecting sitting presidents, which resulted in the dismissal of federal cases despite the prosecutor citing evidence of criminal activity.

• You may eventually be able to view these proceedings directly, as committee leadership indicated that a future public hearing with the former special counsel remains a possibility.

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