UPDATE: In a dramatic closed-door interview on December 17, 2025, former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith revealed to lawmakers that his team has developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Donald Trump criminally conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election. This urgent testimony adds significant weight to ongoing investigations into the former president’s actions.
Smith stated that investigators gathered “powerful evidence” indicating Trump unlawfully hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and obstructed government efforts to retrieve them. “I made my decisions in the investigation without regard to President Trump’s political association,” Smith emphasized, underscoring his commitment to the law and the facts. This stance is pivotal as Trump continues to campaign for the 2024 election.
The private deposition before the House Judiciary Committee marks Smith’s first opportunity to address inquiries regarding two investigations into Trump, which previously resulted in abandoned criminal charges during Trump’s first term. Smith was subpoenaed to provide testimony and documents amid a Republican-led investigation into the Justice Department’s actions during the Biden administration.
“Jack is showing tremendous courage in light of the remarkable and unprecedented retribution campaign against him by this administration,” said Smith’s lawyer, Lanny Breuer. “Let’s be clear: Jack Smith is a career prosecutor, who conducted this investigation based on the facts and based on the law and nothing more.”
Trump responded to this development, expressing support for public testimony, stating: “I’d rather see him testify publicly. There’s no way he can answer the questions.” This highlights the political tension surrounding the investigations as they unfold.
Smith is expected to address both investigations but will not discuss grand jury materials, which are protected by law. A source familiar with the situation indicated he plans to correct what he views as mischaracterizations by Republicans regarding his team’s work, including the analysis of cellphone records belonging to certain GOP lawmakers on and around January 6, 2021.
Appointed in 2022, Smith has been at the forefront of investigations into Trump’s attempts to overturn his election loss and his handling of classified documents. Although charges were filed in both cases, they were abandoned following Trump’s re-election, citing legal opinions that a sitting president cannot be indicted.
As political pressures mount, Republican lawmakers have sought interviews with members of Smith’s team, intensifying the scrutiny of the investigations. The analysis of phone records from January 6, which only included call details but not their contents, has become a focal point of discussion.
The implications of Smith’s findings could have profound effects on Trump’s political future and the broader landscape of American politics as the 2024 election approaches. With this testimony, the stakes continue to rise, drawing the nation’s attention to the unfolding developments.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. Follow the latest on Jack Smith’s investigations and their impact on the upcoming election.