🔗 Share this article The US House Publishes Jack Smith's Testimony Regarding Trump Prosecutions Smith's testimony to Congress occurred on 17 December. The US Congress has published the complete text of testimony given by ex- Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his choice to lead two since-dismissed criminal probes into former President Donald Trump. The transcript, published on New Year's Eve, spans 255 pages. It contains queries from lawmakers, and Smith's robust defense of the actions to prosecute Trump for unlawfully keeping sensitive materials after his presidency ended, and his reported attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential race. Trump pleaded not guilty in the two matters, and the criminal proceedings concluded after his return to the White House. Since being sworn in again, Trump has called for inquiries of authorities who criminally charged him. Private Deposition The release also contains video of Smith's nearly eight hours of interview under oath, which occurred confidentially on December 17th. "The choice to bring charges against President Trump was my responsibility, but the justification for those charges is solely due to President Trump and his actions," Smith informs lawmakers at the start of his testimony. He asserts that his investigation, which was commenced under President Joe Biden, "developed proof that was conclusive that President Trump was involved in a illegal plan to reverse the results of the 2020 election and to stop the legal transfer of power". He notes that his team "additionally gathered strong evidence that showed that President Trump knowingly held onto highly classified documents after he concluded his term in January of 2021, storing them at his Mar-a-Lago property, even in a event space and a bathroom". He adds that Trump "repeatedly tried to impede the investigation to cover up his persistent possession of those materials". Terminated Prosecutions The interview with Smith was held on 17 December. Smith was appointed to the role by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, who stepped down two weeks before Trump returned to the White House. Before Trump's return, Smith completed a findings document that determined there was adequate evidence to prosecute Trump in the two probes. But the matters were dismissed by Trump's administration after he regained control of the government, which encompassed the Department of Justice. Democrats questioning Smith during the testimony concentrated on Trump seeking revenge, among other topics. The Trump administration dismissed Smith and his team. "I have no doubt that the President wants to seek retribution against me," Smith stated, later stating that the justice department now "wants to seek retribution against any person who worked on cases against President Trump." Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, asked Smith if he believes Trump instructed House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan to request a testimony, to which Smith answered that he was uncertain. "I'm here in good faith," he said.
Smith's testimony to Congress occurred on 17 December. The US Congress has published the complete text of testimony given by ex- Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his choice to lead two since-dismissed criminal probes into former President Donald Trump. The transcript, published on New Year's Eve, spans 255 pages. It contains queries from lawmakers, and Smith's robust defense of the actions to prosecute Trump for unlawfully keeping sensitive materials after his presidency ended, and his reported attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential race. Trump pleaded not guilty in the two matters, and the criminal proceedings concluded after his return to the White House. Since being sworn in again, Trump has called for inquiries of authorities who criminally charged him. Private Deposition The release also contains video of Smith's nearly eight hours of interview under oath, which occurred confidentially on December 17th. "The choice to bring charges against President Trump was my responsibility, but the justification for those charges is solely due to President Trump and his actions," Smith informs lawmakers at the start of his testimony. He asserts that his investigation, which was commenced under President Joe Biden, "developed proof that was conclusive that President Trump was involved in a illegal plan to reverse the results of the 2020 election and to stop the legal transfer of power". He notes that his team "additionally gathered strong evidence that showed that President Trump knowingly held onto highly classified documents after he concluded his term in January of 2021, storing them at his Mar-a-Lago property, even in a event space and a bathroom". He adds that Trump "repeatedly tried to impede the investigation to cover up his persistent possession of those materials". Terminated Prosecutions The interview with Smith was held on 17 December. Smith was appointed to the role by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, who stepped down two weeks before Trump returned to the White House. Before Trump's return, Smith completed a findings document that determined there was adequate evidence to prosecute Trump in the two probes. But the matters were dismissed by Trump's administration after he regained control of the government, which encompassed the Department of Justice. Democrats questioning Smith during the testimony concentrated on Trump seeking revenge, among other topics. The Trump administration dismissed Smith and his team. "I have no doubt that the President wants to seek retribution against me," Smith stated, later stating that the justice department now "wants to seek retribution against any person who worked on cases against President Trump." Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, asked Smith if he believes Trump instructed House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan to request a testimony, to which Smith answered that he was uncertain. "I'm here in good faith," he said.