Jack Smith To Testify Publicly?
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan says he plans to invite former special counsel Jack Smith to testify publicly about his investigations involving President Donald Trump.
Sources familiar with the matter say the appearance could happen as soon as this month.
The potential public hearing follows Smith’s more than seven hours of private testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, where he defended his decision to pursue charges related to the events of January 6 and the handling of classified documents.
During that closed-door session, Smith reportedly argued that the cases were based solely on the president’s actions and evidence gathered by his office, not political motivation.
Shift Toward Public Testimony
While Chairman Jordan had not ruled out a public appearance by Smith, he had previously declined multiple requests from Smith’s legal team to testify in an open hearing.
Smith’s attorney, Lanny Breuer, said his client has been willing for months to answer questions publicly about the investigations into President Trump.
The development was first reported by Politico.
Traditionally, special counsels appear in public only after submitting their final reports. Smith released his report related to January 6, but a separate report tied to documents found at Mar-a-Lago remains unresolved due to ongoing legal disputes.
President Trump continues to oppose the release of that report.
Democrats React, Republicans Push for Transparency
Democrats quickly responded to the news.
Rep. Jamie Raskin claimed Republicans failed to undermine Smith’s credibility during the private deposition and argued that a public hearing would produce the same result.
Republicans, however, say the stakes are higher.
They argue that Americans deserve transparency when criminal investigations involve a sitting president who also happens to be the leading figure of the opposing political party.
What Smith Said Behind Closed Doors
Jordan’s office released the full 255-page transcript of Smith’s testimony on New Year’s Eve.
In the transcript, Smith said he believed the evidence justified prosecution regardless of political affiliation.
He also revealed that he had considered whether additional individuals connected to the January 6 investigation—including people politically aligned with President Trump—could face charges.
Smith emphasized that several potential witnesses were Trump supporters, not political opponents.
Trump Maintains His Position
President Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to January 6 and has rejected allegations surrounding the handling of classified materials.
He has also continued to question the integrity of the 2020 election, a position that remains deeply contested and politically divisive.
Earlier this week, on the anniversary of January 6, the White House launched a webpage praising President Trump’s decision to issue pardons connected to the Capitol unrest while criticizing the actions of the U.S. Capitol Police during the event.
Why This Matters
A public hearing would place one of the most controversial investigations in modern American politics under a brighter spotlight.
Republicans say such a hearing could help clarify how decisions were made, what evidence was relied upon, and whether standard procedures were followed.
If the testimony moves forward, it is likely to draw significant national attention—and could shape public opinion heading into the next phase of the political and legal battle surrounding President Trump.
