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Jack Smith Defends Trump Charges in Closed-Door House Deposition

He told lawmakers his team had proof meeting a trial standard, citing legal secrecy to refuse questions on grand jury material.

Overview

  • Smith said his investigations developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election and amassed powerful evidence he willfully retained classified documents and obstructed recovery efforts.
  • He declared politics played no role in his decisions and said he would bring the same charges again based on the same facts, regardless of party.
  • He declined to answer questions that would reveal grand jury material and faces disclosure limits from a Florida court order restricting portions of his documents-case report from being shared with Congress.
  • House Republicans pressed him on subpoenas for lawmakers’ phone and toll records tied to Jan. 6, a focal point of their ‘Arctic Frost’ inquiry that Smith defended as lawfully obtained and relevant to a comprehensive investigation.
  • He appeared under subpoena after offering to testify publicly, a request the committee rejected, as Republicans seek additional witness interviews and documents to advance their oversight probe.