Overview
- The GOP-led committee posted a redacted 255-page transcript and more than eight hours of video from Smith’s Dec. 17 closed-door deposition.
- Smith said investigators developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election and powerful evidence of willful retention of classified documents with obstruction.
- He testified that charging decisions were his, cited grand jury indictments in two districts, and said he would make the same decision regardless of a president’s party.
- Defending investigative methods, Smith said lawfully subpoenaed toll records captured call metadata rather than content and noted a court order limited what he could disclose about the documents probe.
- Republicans denied his request for a public hearing and presented the release as oversight, while critics questioned the New Year’s Eve timing; both federal cases were previously dropped under DOJ policy after Trump’s reelection.