At a Glance
- Jan. 22 hearing follows Jack Smith’s 8-hour closed-door deposition in December
- Smith will defend his Trump probes after Republicans denied his earlier public-hearing request
- 255-page transcript and video already show Smith saying Trump led a “criminal scheme”
Why it matters: The open session gives Americans a direct view of the evidence behind the cases Republicans have tried to discredit.
Jack Smith, the former special counsel who oversaw two federal indictments against Donald Trump, will testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, Chairman Jim Jordan announced late Monday.
The Ohio Republican’s invitation reverses the GOP’s earlier refusal to hold an open hearing. Smith had asked for a public session before his December deposition, but Republicans required him to speak behind closed doors for more than eight hours.
Lanny Breuer, Smith’s attorney, said his client welcomes the chance to speak openly.
“Jack has been clear for months he is ready and willing to answer questions in a public hearing about his investigations into President Trump’s alleged unlawful efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his mishandling of classified documents,” Breuer said.
Ryan J. Thompson reported last week that Jordan planned to invite Smith to testify publicly.
Evidence Already on Record
The committee on December 31 released the full 255-page transcript and accompanying video of Smith’s private testimony. In it, Smith told lawmakers he could prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to reverse the 2020 election results.
Key points from the transcript:
- Trump was “the most culpable” actor in the election-interference case
- The former president “repeatedly tried to obstruct justice” in the classified-documents matter
Ranking Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland criticized Republicans for forcing Smith into a private session first.
“Even with many hours of private testimony, Republicans could not lay a glove on Jack Smith, his evidence, or his case,” Raskin said Friday. “This upcoming hearing is a win for truth-seeking Americans and yet another looming humiliation for Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans.”
Background on the Cases
Smith led two federal probes that produced indictments against Trump:
- Classified-documents case – charged Trump with unlawfully retaining national-security material and obstructing the investigation
- Election-interference case – accused Trump of conspiring to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 victory
Trump has denied wrongdoing, labeling both cases politically motivated “witch hunts.”
Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly called for Smith to be prosecuted.
Legal Status of the Indictments
- U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, dismissed the classified-documents case, ruling Smith’s appointment as special counsel was unlawful
- Smith dropped the election case after Trump won the 2024 election, citing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents
What to Expect Next
The January 22 hearing will mark the first time Smith defends his investigations in a televised setting. Committee Republicans are expected to question his appointment authority and evidence, while Democrats are likely to highlight the threat to the 2020 election and national security.
No additional witnesses have been announced.
