The deposition conducted earlier this month lasted more than eight hours, during which Smith was grilled by lawmakers over the twin criminal investigations into Trump – one probing the mishandling and retention of classified documents and a second inquiry into his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
“The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis for nine of those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the 10 indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts,” Smith told the committee.
Republican lawmakers have lambasted the investigations as alleged “weaponization” of the justice system against the president and his allies, particularly criticizing Smith for subpoenaing the phone records of lawmakers who spoke with Trump about the election scheme.
Smith vehemently denied his work was politically motivated.
Giving testimony was a significant risk for Smith as Trump has called for him to be prosecuted.
CNN has reached out to Smith for comment.
B-Z_B-S on
Trump’s actions now prove his accusations of weaponization were always projection.
Mr_Magoo1969 on
Releasing this on December 31st, when everyone is checked out for the day, is definitely a choice.
Tiny_Structure_7 on
These were righteous cases, and Trump belongs in prison. The only reason he didn’t get there before his election is because of a mixture of incompetence and abuse of discretion by Eileen Cannon who delayed and eventually tossed the classified docs case; and by SCROTUS interference and abuse of discretion to stop the election theft attempt case.
There is no justice for the filthy rich and powerful MAGA in America. Getting away with all this is why Trump thinks and acts like a king-shit gangster. America may not have created this monster, but it sure as hell coached it to the current level.
thrawtes on
Right after discussing why he asked for a public deposition –
>Are you concerned that given that this deposition is not open to the public and the public cannot hear your answers or observe your demeanor or hear the way that you’re responding to questions from the majority, that some of your responses may be selectively published or released in a way that mischaracterizes your answers?
>Smith: I would hope that wouldn’t happen.
> But are you aware that’s a risk from your testimony here today?
>Smith: I’m sure that’s possible.
Dude’s such a professional. He knows exactly what this is, even months before the transcript comes out
Alternative_Rate7474 on
>This morning, just over an hour ago, the Department of Justice sent us an email affirming its view that Judge Cannon’s order applies to Mr. Smith and that it precludes him from disclosing any nonpublic information that may be contained in Volume Two, including but not limited to interview transcripts, search warrant materials, business records, toll records, video footage, records obtained by grand jury subpoenas, attorney-client communications, and potential for Rule 404(b) evidence.
yeah, fuck the DOJ
Raspberries-Are-Evil on
Video is 8 hours. Hopefully someone cuts to the highlight lol.
**Overview**: Deposition of former Special Counsel Jack Smith by House Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2025, regarding his investigations into Donald Trump’s election interference and classified document handling.
**Key Investigation Details**:
* Led investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago
* Stated he had “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” in both cases and believed Trump was most culpable in the conspiracy
* Emphasized decisions were based on evidence, not politics, and would have prosecuted any former president with same facts
**Prosecutorial Approach**:
* Followed DOJ protocols and consulted with relevant offices including Public Integrity Section
* Disputed claims his office was “weaponized” or acted with political bias
* Defended subpoenaing congressional phone records as relevant to January 6th investigation
**Post-Investigation Developments**:
* Office disbanded after Trump’s reelection
* Career prosecutors and FBI agents fired after Trump took office
* Smith’s attorneys had security clearances suspended via executive order
* Trump issued sweeping pardons for January 6th rioters and election-related co-conspirators
Smith maintained his investigations followed proper legal standards and expressed concern about politicization of law enforcement.
Alternative_Rate7474 on
>We had proposed to the Department of Justice that it have a lawyer here present today, so that if any issue came up, we could immediately resolve it, because Mr. Smith is committed to answering every question he can lawfully. The Department of Justice chose not to have a lawyer here today.
further fuck the DOJ
benchcoat on
“our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
…IANAL but that’s pretty much the criminal law definition of a coup, right?
jimtowntim on
I am not sure what to believe, he never once took the 5th in place of answering a question.
Trump would have answered the 5th and I do not recall all day, or as long as he could stay awake.
11 Comments
The House Judiciary Committee on New Year’s Eve released a [transcript](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26450308-jack-smith-deposition/) and %5Bvideo%5D(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR-bhPzQYUE&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD) of its [closed-door hearing with Jack Smith](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/31/politics/jack-smith-house-judiciary-committee-deposition-released?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=missions&utm_source=reddit), the former special counsel who led the two failed prosecutions of President Donald Trump.
The deposition conducted earlier this month lasted more than eight hours, during which Smith was grilled by lawmakers over the twin criminal investigations into Trump – one probing the mishandling and retention of classified documents and a second inquiry into his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
“The decision to bring charges against President Trump was mine, but the basis for nine of those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions, as alleged in the 10 indictments returned by grand juries in two different districts,” Smith told the committee.
Republican lawmakers have lambasted the investigations as alleged “weaponization” of the justice system against the president and his allies, particularly criticizing Smith for subpoenaing the phone records of lawmakers who spoke with Trump about the election scheme.
Smith vehemently denied his work was politically motivated.
Giving testimony was a significant risk for Smith as Trump has called for him to be prosecuted.
CNN has reached out to Smith for comment.
Trump’s actions now prove his accusations of weaponization were always projection.
Releasing this on December 31st, when everyone is checked out for the day, is definitely a choice.
These were righteous cases, and Trump belongs in prison. The only reason he didn’t get there before his election is because of a mixture of incompetence and abuse of discretion by Eileen Cannon who delayed and eventually tossed the classified docs case; and by SCROTUS interference and abuse of discretion to stop the election theft attempt case.
There is no justice for the filthy rich and powerful MAGA in America. Getting away with all this is why Trump thinks and acts like a king-shit gangster. America may not have created this monster, but it sure as hell coached it to the current level.
Right after discussing why he asked for a public deposition –
>Are you concerned that given that this deposition is not open to the public and the public cannot hear your answers or observe your demeanor or hear the way that you’re responding to questions from the majority, that some of your responses may be selectively published or released in a way that mischaracterizes your answers?
>Smith: I would hope that wouldn’t happen.
> But are you aware that’s a risk from your testimony here today?
>Smith: I’m sure that’s possible.
Dude’s such a professional. He knows exactly what this is, even months before the transcript comes out
>This morning, just over an hour ago, the Department of Justice sent us an email affirming its view that Judge Cannon’s order applies to Mr. Smith and that it precludes him from disclosing any nonpublic information that may be contained in Volume Two, including but not limited to interview transcripts, search warrant materials, business records, toll records, video footage, records obtained by grand jury subpoenas, attorney-client communications, and potential for Rule 404(b) evidence.
yeah, fuck the DOJ
Video is 8 hours. Hopefully someone cuts to the highlight lol.
An AI generated summary of the transcript posted here: [https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/2025-12/Smith-Depo-Transcript_Redacted-w-Errata.pdf](https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/2025-12/Smith-Depo-Transcript_Redacted-w-Errata.pdf)
**Overview**: Deposition of former Special Counsel Jack Smith by House Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2025, regarding his investigations into Donald Trump’s election interference and classified document handling.
**Key Investigation Details**:
* Led investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago
* Stated he had “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” in both cases and believed Trump was most culpable in the conspiracy
* Emphasized decisions were based on evidence, not politics, and would have prosecuted any former president with same facts
**Prosecutorial Approach**:
* Followed DOJ protocols and consulted with relevant offices including Public Integrity Section
* Disputed claims his office was “weaponized” or acted with political bias
* Defended subpoenaing congressional phone records as relevant to January 6th investigation
**Post-Investigation Developments**:
* Office disbanded after Trump’s reelection
* Career prosecutors and FBI agents fired after Trump took office
* Smith’s attorneys had security clearances suspended via executive order
* Trump issued sweeping pardons for January 6th rioters and election-related co-conspirators
Smith maintained his investigations followed proper legal standards and expressed concern about politicization of law enforcement.
>We had proposed to the Department of Justice that it have a lawyer here present today, so that if any issue came up, we could immediately resolve it, because Mr. Smith is committed to answering every question he can lawfully. The Department of Justice chose not to have a lawyer here today.
further fuck the DOJ
“our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power”
…IANAL but that’s pretty much the criminal law definition of a coup, right?
I am not sure what to believe, he never once took the 5th in place of answering a question.
Trump would have answered the 5th and I do not recall all day, or as long as he could stay awake.