Former Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to release the full videotape of his nine-hour closed-door deposition so the public can hear his account directly. The letter, obtained by CBS, covers Smith’s testimony on probes into classified documents, obstruction, and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and reiterates a call for an open hearing. The request followed reports that Smith told lawmakers investigators had evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" of criminal conspiracy by President Trump, though DOJ policy at the time prevented prosecuting a sitting president.
Jack Smith Urges Release Of Full Nine-Hour Videotape From Closed-Door House Deposition
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith has formally requested that House Republicans make public the complete videotape of his nine-hour closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month.
The request, sent to Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and obtained by CBS journalist Scott MacFarlane, asks for the "prompt public release" of the full recording so the American people can hear Smith's testimony directly rather than through second‑hand accounts. Smith's lawyers also reiterated a request for an open, public hearing.
The letter summarizes the scope of Smith's testimony: roughly nine hours discussing his investigations into President Donald Trump’s alleged unlawful retention of classified documents, alleged obstruction of justice, and the alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Smith said he welcomed the opportunity to testify and hoped the public record would correct what he characterized as mischaracterizations of the Special Counsel’s work.
Dear Chairman Jordan:
Yesterday our client Jack Smith testified before the Committee for approximately nine hours regarding his investigation into President Trump’s alleged unlawful retention of classified documents, obstruction of justice, and role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Mr. Smith welcomed this opportunity and hopes that it will serve to correct the many mischaracterizations about the work of the Special Counsel’s Office.
Mr. Smith respectfully requests the prompt public release of the full videotape of his deposition. Doing so will ensure that the American people can hear the facts directly from Mr. Smith, rather than through second-hand accounts. We also reiterate our request for an open and public hearing. 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.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter. We look forward to cooperating with you to provide the public with an opportunity to hear directly from Mr. Smith regarding his work.
The letter was disclosed about a week after Smith reportedly told committee members during the closed session that investigators had evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Mr. Trump had "criminally" conspired to overturn the 2020 election. While charges were filed in Smith's investigations, the former president was not prosecuted at the time because of a longstanding Justice Department policy that discourages indicting a sitting president.
By pressing for the full videotape and for an open hearing, Smith and his legal team aim to put the complete record of his testimony into the public domain so voters can assess the testimony and the Special Counsel’s conduct directly.
