WASHINGTON, January 1 (TNF): The United States Congress has released the full transcript of testimony given by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his role in leading two criminal investigations against President Donald Trump that have since been closed.
The 255-page transcript was made public on New Year’s Eve by the House Judiciary Committee. It documents Smith’s responses to lawmakers during a closed-door deposition held on December 17. In his testimony, Smith strongly defended the legal basis and conduct of investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and his actions following the 2020 presidential election.
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 by then Attorney General Merrick Garland. His mandate included probing whether Trump unlawfully retained classified material after leaving office and whether he attempted to overturn the results of the election he lost to Joe Biden.
Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases. The classified documents case was dismissed by a federal judge in Florida in 2024. The election-related prosecution ended after Trump won re-election and returned to the White House. Under long-standing Justice Department policy, a sitting president cannot face criminal prosecution.
In his testimony, Smith said he believed there was sufficient evidence to pursue charges in both matters. He told lawmakers that Trump repeatedly tried to obstruct justice to conceal his continued possession of classified documents. Smith said the decision to prosecute was guided by evidence, legal standards, and precedent, not political considerations.
Smith also addressed the investigation into the events surrounding January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol as Congress met to certify the election results. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing related to that day. He has described it as a “day of love” and later issued pardons to more than 1,500 defendants convicted or charged in connection with the riot.
The former special counsel said his team sought phone records related to certain members of Congress as part of the investigation. He told lawmakers that such requests were routine and lawful, and were necessary to understand how the White House communicated with lawmakers before and during the Capitol attack.
Smith explained that the records did not include the content of calls or messages. They only showed when communications took place, how long they lasted, and who contacted whom. He said this information helped investigators establish whether Trump or members of his inner circle attempted to pressure lawmakers to delay or block certification of the election.
He told the committee that some communications showed Trump had been informed that his claims of election fraud were false. Smith said this was important in assessing intent and responsibility.
During questioning by Democratic lawmakers, Smith said he believed Trump wanted retribution against those involved in the investigations. He said he had no doubt that the president harboured resentment toward him personally and toward Justice Department officials who worked on the cases.
Smith said he believed the department now sought to target individuals who previously handled cases against Trump. He also confirmed that he and his staff were fired after Trump returned to office.
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, asked Smith whether he believed Trump had directed House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan to call him in for a deposition. Smith said he did not know and declined to speculate. He said he appeared voluntarily and in good faith.
The testimony also touches on Smith’s final report, written before Trump’s return to office. In that report, Smith concluded that prosecutors had enough evidence to bring charges in both investigations. Portions of the report were never acted upon due to Trump’s election victory.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the investigations, calling them politically motivated. After being indicted in the classified documents case, he said it was a “dark day for the United States.” After a later indictment related to election interference, he described it as an attempt to revive a “dead witch hunt” and interfere in the 2024 election.
The White House did not respond to media requests for comment following the release of the transcript.
The publication of Smith’s testimony adds new detail to the legal battles that shaped Trump’s years out of office and highlights ongoing political tensions over accountability, justice, and the rule of law in the United States.WASHINGTON, January 1 (TNF):
The United States Congress has released the full transcript of testimony given by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his role in leading two criminal investigations against President Donald Trump that have since been closed.
The 255-page transcript was made public on New Year’s Eve by the House Judiciary Committee. It documents Smith’s responses to lawmakers during a closed-door deposition held on December 17. In his testimony, Smith strongly defended the legal basis and conduct of investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and his actions following the 2020 presidential election.
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 by then Attorney General Merrick Garland. His mandate included probing whether Trump unlawfully retained classified material after leaving office and whether he attempted to overturn the results of the election he lost to Joe Biden.
Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases. The classified documents case was dismissed by a federal judge in Florida in 2024. The election-related prosecution ended after Trump won re-election and returned to the White House. Under long-standing Justice Department policy, a sitting president cannot face criminal prosecution.
In his testimony, Smith said he believed there was sufficient evidence to pursue charges in both matters. He told lawmakers that Trump repeatedly tried to obstruct justice to conceal his continued possession of classified documents. Smith said the decision to prosecute was guided by evidence, legal standards, and precedent, not political considerations.
Smith also addressed the investigation into the events surrounding January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol as Congress met to certify the election results. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing related to that day. He has described it as a “day of love” and later issued pardons to more than 1,500 defendants convicted or charged in connection with the riot.
The former special counsel said his team sought phone records related to certain members of Congress as part of the investigation. He told lawmakers that such requests were routine and lawful, and were necessary to understand how the White House communicated with lawmakers before and during the Capitol attack.
Smith explained that the records did not include the content of calls or messages. They only showed when communications took place, how long they lasted, and who contacted whom. He said this information helped investigators establish whether Trump or members of his inner circle attempted to pressure lawmakers to delay or block certification of the election.
He told the committee that some communications showed Trump had been informed that his claims of election fraud were false. Smith said this was important in assessing intent and responsibility.
During questioning by Democratic lawmakers, Smith said he believed Trump wanted retribution against those involved in the investigations. He said he had no doubt that the president harboured resentment toward him personally and toward Justice Department officials who worked on the cases.
Smith said he believed the department now sought to target individuals who previously handled cases against Trump. He also confirmed that he and his staff were fired after Trump returned to office.
Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida, asked Smith whether he believed Trump had directed House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan to call him in for a deposition. Smith said he did not know and declined to speculate. He said he appeared voluntarily and in good faith.
The testimony also touches on Smith’s final report, written before Trump’s return to office. In that report, Smith concluded that prosecutors had enough evidence to bring charges in both investigations. Portions of the report were never acted upon due to Trump’s election victory.
Trump has repeatedly criticised the investigations, calling them politically motivated. After being indicted in the classified documents case, he said it was a “dark day for the United States.” After a later indictment related to election interference, he described it as an attempt to revive a “dead witch hunt” and interfere in the 2024 election.
The White House did not respond to media requests for comment following the release of the transcript.
The publication of Smith’s testimony adds new detail to the legal battles that shaped Trump’s years out of office and highlights ongoing political tensions over accountability, justice, and the rule of law in the United States.
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