Former special counsel Jack Smith has formally requested a public House Judiciary Committee hearing and the full release of his eight‑hour deposition video so he can defend his prosecutorial decisions and rebut Republican criticism. Portions of his statement say his office had evidence that could prove criminal conduct "beyond a reasonable doubt,” but DOJ policy, grand jury secrecy and a court seal limited what he could disclose. Republicans have pledged investigations into Smith, while Democrats argue the closed session denied the public essential information.
Jack Smith Seeks Public Hearing, Demands Release Of Full 8‑Hour Deposition Tape
Former special counsel Jack Smith has asked House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan to allow him to testify in a public hearing and to release the complete video of his recent closed‑door deposition, his attorneys said in a new letter obtained by POLITICO.
In the letter, attorneys Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski renewed their request that Smith be permitted to speak in an open forum so he can defend the work of his office and respond to ongoing Republican criticism.
“[We] reiterate our request for an open and public hearing,” Breuer and Koski wrote. “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.”
What Happened In The Deposition
Smith sat for more than eight hours under oath this week before the House Judiciary Committee. Portions of his prepared statement, shared with reporters, said Smith believed his office had evidence that would have established criminal conduct by President Trump "beyond a reasonable doubt.”
But Smith was unable to present all of that evidence publicly because the Justice Department policy restricting prosecution of a sitting president required his team to pause those cases while Trump remained in office. That limitation, along with grand jury secrecy rules and a federal court order sealing part of a report in the classified‑documents matter, also constrained what he could disclose to lawmakers.
Political Fallout And Ongoing Inquiries
Republicans in both the House and Senate have vowed further investigations into Smith and his office, and GOP disclosures that Smith requested phone records for Republican members of Congress as part of an election‑subversion probe intensified scrutiny. Separately, Chair Jordan has referred one of Smith’s senior assistants for possible criminal prosecution over alleged noncooperation.
Committee members who left the deposition provided few details, and Democrats said holding the session in private deprived the public of important information and allowed Smith’s testimony to be mischaracterized.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D‑Md.), the committee’s top Democrat, said he hoped Smith would be allowed to speak publicly. “I think somebody should prepare Donald Trump for it, because he will be devastated and humiliated by what he hears,” Raskin said.
Smith’s lawyers asked that the videotape of the deposition be released in full so their client can address the public directly rather than through second‑hand accounts. Chair Jordan has not ruled out permitting a public hearing.
