Jack Smith to Testify Privately Before Congress on Trump Probes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former Special Counsel Jack Smith will meet privately with House Republicans to discuss investigations into Donald Trump. Smith originally offered to testify publicly, but the GOP-led Judiciary Committee chose a closed-door format. The discussion centers on his handling of Trump’s classified documents and 2020 election-related cases.
Jack Smith Testimony Quick Looks
- Jack Smith to appear in a private session with the House Judiciary Committee.
- Smith had volunteered for public testimony, but Republicans declined.
- GOP focuses on Justice Department’s handling of Trump-related probes.
- Smith expected to address claims about surveillance of GOP lawmakers.
- Legal limits prevent Smith from discussing grand jury information.
- Investigations covered Trump’s election interference and classified documents.
- Charges filed under Smith were dropped after Trump’s 2024 victory.
- Republicans probing DOJ’s treatment of Trump during Biden presidency.
Deep Look
Jack Smith to Meet Privately With House Republicans on Trump Investigations
Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee this Wednesday in a closed-door session. The private interview follows his earlier offer to testify publicly about his investigations into former President Donald Trump—an offer that was rejected by the Republican-led committee.
The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee is conducting a broader investigation into the Justice Department’s criminal probes targeting Trump during the Biden administration. Smith, who was subpoenaed earlier this month to provide both documents and testimony, agreed to comply. However, his legal team expressed disappointment that the opportunity for a public session was denied.
“We are disappointed that offer was rejected, and that the American people will be denied the opportunity to hear directly from Jack on these topics,” said Peter Koski, one of Smith’s attorneys. “Jack looks forward to meeting with the committee later this month to discuss his work and clarify the various misconceptions about his investigation.”
President Trump, in a statement from the White House, also voiced support for a public hearing. “I’d rather see him testify publicly. There’s no way he can answer the questions,” he said, implying that a private session might limit transparency.
Smith is expected to cover both major investigations he led involving Trump—one concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the other regarding the alleged mishandling of classified documents stored at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. A source familiar with the process, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Smith will refrain from discussing any grand jury material due to legal restrictions.
In addition to defending his team’s investigative conduct, Smith is also likely to address Republican criticisms about surveillance of GOP lawmakers. The scrutiny stems from revelations that prosecutors reviewed phone records of select Republican members of Congress as part of their investigation into the events surrounding January 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.
According to sources, the reviewed phone records included only basic metadata such as call durations and numbers dialed, not the actual content of any calls. Nevertheless, the move has sparked concern among Republican lawmakers, who argue that such tactics reflect political bias and an overreach by the Justice Department.
Smith was appointed special counsel in 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee investigations into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of classified government records. Both investigations led to charges against Trump and his associates. However, Smith withdrew the charges after Trump won re-election in 2024, referencing longstanding Justice Department policies that prohibit the indictment of a sitting president.
The Judiciary Committee’s ongoing investigation has also extended to other members of Smith’s prosecutorial team. House Republicans are requesting interviews with individual prosecutors who worked under Smith, particularly in light of concerns about investigative practices and decisions.
The decision to hold the session behind closed doors rather than publicly has drawn criticism not only from Smith’s legal team but also from political observers and some legal experts who argue that transparency is essential in high-stakes government oversight.
With the private session pending, questions remain about how much detail Smith will be able to provide, given legal restrictions and the ongoing political implications. His testimony could clarify the scope and intent of his investigations and provide insight into how the Justice Department navigated politically sensitive issues involving a former president and current officeholder.
As both parties continue to frame the investigation to fit their narratives, Smith’s private deposition is likely to fuel ongoing debates over judicial independence, executive accountability, and the politicization of federal law enforcement.
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