POLITICS

Smith Defends Trump Indictments During Closed-Door Congressional Deposition

PUBLISHED Dec 17, 2025, 5:47 AM ET

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Smith Defends Trump Indictments During Closed-Door Congressional Deposition

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 12

Left 8%

Center 83%

Right 8%

Sources: 12

Washington — Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his prosecutorial decisions in a closed-door deposition before Republican-led House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, saying his team developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Donald Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election and willfully retained classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Smith said the decision to bring charges was his and rested on actions alleged in indictments returned by grand juries in two districts, and he offered to testify publicly before Republicans insisted on private testimony. Committee members subpoenaed Smith this month for documents and testimony. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

August 2022: FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago.
January 2021: Trump left office; investigations reviewed retained materials.
Grand juries in two districts returned indictments connected to Jan. 6 and classified documents.
Early January 2026: House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Jack Smith for documents and testimony.
Wednesday, 12th January 2026: Smith provided closed-door testimony to House Republicans.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 12
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 10

Who Benefited

House Republican investigators obtained a closed-door deposition and document cooperation from former special counsel Jack Smith, while Smith reiterated the evidentiary basis for indictments.

Who Impacted

President Trump faced renewed public and congressional affirmation of prosecutors' assertions that his actions underpinned indictments returned by grand juries in two districts.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 12
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 10
Distribution:: Left 8%, Center 83%, Right 8%

Who Benefited

House Republican investigators obtained a closed-door deposition and document cooperation from former special counsel Jack Smith, while Smith reiterated the evidentiary basis for indictments.

Who Impacted

President Trump faced renewed public and congressional affirmation of prosecutors' assertions that his actions underpinned indictments returned by grand juries in two districts.