A stunned Capitol Hill froze as former special counsel Jack Smith testified in a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2025, defending his prosecutions of President Donald Trump while his lawyers demanded a public hearing to counter Republican scrutiny.
Smith, subpoenaed by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the GOP-led probe into his “politically motivated” investigations, spent over eight hours under oath. Portions of his opening statement—obtained by media—emphasized: “The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis rests entirely with his actions.” He denied political bias, stating decisions followed “facts and law” regardless of Trump’s “political association or candidacy.”
Smith’s attorneys—Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski—had offered public testimony weeks earlier, rebuffed by Republicans. Post-deposition, they renewed the request in a letter to Jordan: “We reiterate our request for an open and public hearing… and prompt release of the full videotape.” Democrats like Jamie Raskin praised Smith’s “honorable” defense, arguing closed doors distort facts.
The deposition probed Smith’s dismissed cases—election interference and classified documents—dropped post-Trump’s 2024 victory per DOJ policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. No public hearing was granted; Republicans called Smith’s work “weaponized justice.”
As Epstein Files Transparency Act disclosures coincided (deadline December 19), the closed-door drama—raw, partisan—underscored polarized justice: Smith silenced publicly, his defense confined to committee walls.
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