Washington, D.C. — The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released the full transcript and video of former special counsel Jack Smith’s closed-door deposition, making public more than eight hours of testimony related to the federal investigations of President Donald Trump.
The release includes a 255-page transcript and video from Smith’s appearance earlier this month before the Republican-led committee. Smith had requested to testify in a public hearing, but Republicans on the panel denied that request. The committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, is examining Smith and his former office over the indictments filed against Trump following his first term in office.
In his opening statement, Smith defended the prosecutions and directly addressed Trump’s conduct. “The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine,” Smith said, adding that “the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts.” Smith testified that investigators developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election and prevent the lawful transfer of power.
Smith also said his team uncovered strong evidence that Trump willfully retained highly classified documents after leaving office in January 2021, storing them at his private club in locations including a ballroom and a bathroom, and that Trump “repeatedly tried to obstruct justice” to conceal them.
Both federal cases were later dismissed. Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing. Since returning to office, he has repeatedly called for Smith to be prosecuted, framing the investigations as politically motivated.
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House Judiciary Committee Transcript – Unrated
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