Jack Smith Tells Congress His Team Proved Trump Tried to Overturn 2020 Election
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dec. 17, 2025 — Former U.S. Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday morning to testify in a closed-door deposition before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, as lawmakers continue their investigation into his prosecutions of President Donald Trump.
Ahead of questioning, Smith released a prepared opening statement in which he said his investigative team had “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and prevent the lawful transfer of power. Smith said the conclusions were based solely on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Smith also stated that his team uncovered substantial evidence that Trump unlawfully retained classified documents after leaving office and obstructed government efforts to recover them. The criminal cases, filed in 2023, were later dismissed following Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election under longstanding Justice Department policy barring prosecution of a sitting president.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.
As Smith entered the Capitol, his attorney spoke briefly with reporters, praising Smith for appearing despite what he described as an unprecedented campaign of political retaliation tied to the investigations. Smith himself did not take questions from the press before entering the deposition.
The closed-door session is taking place amid an ongoing Republican inquiry that has accused Smith’s office of political bias — claims Smith has repeatedly rejected. In his opening statement, Smith said his prosecutorial decisions were driven strictly by the law and evidence, adding that political affiliation played no role in charging decisions.
Smith had previously indicated a willingness to testify in a public hearing, but the Judiciary Committee instead issued a subpoena requiring a private deposition. Committee members have signaled they intend to question Smith about investigative steps taken during the January 6 probe, including the review of communications involving Republican lawmakers.
The deposition remains ongoing, and no details of lawmakers’ questions have been released so far. Additional information is expected as the hearing continues.
Follow The Coffman Chronicle on NewsBreak for daily breaking political coverage.