A political showdown in Washington is intensifying as Jack Smith, the special counsel who oversaw investigations tied to President Trump, is asking Congress to allow him to testify publicly.
His request comes after House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) demanded a closed-door, transcribed interview as part of the committee’s broader probe into the Department of Justice and its handling of politically charged cases.
In a letter to Jordan, Smith’s attorneys said he wants the chance to respond to allegations in full public view, citing what they described as ongoing distortions surrounding his work on the classified documents case and the 2020 election investigation.
“Given the many mischaracterizations of Mr. Smith’s investigation into President Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Mr. Smith respectfully requests the opportunity to testify in open hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees,” the letter states.
Jordan, who has accused Smith of launching “politically motivated prosecutions” and trying to “silence” Trump during the campaign season, has so far only called for a private interview. Smith’s team argues that public testimony is the only way to prevent selective leaks and partisan spin, a recurring issue in high-profile DOJ investigations that frequently drive legal news cycles and political debate.
However, Smith cannot testify publicly without approval from the Justice Department. His legal team says he must receive guidance to avoid violating federal rules on grand jury secrecy and ongoing legal matters, including questions that may surface about the still-sealed Mar-a-Lago investigative report.
“He is prepared to answer questions about the Special Counsel’s investigation and prosecution, but requires assurance from the Department of Justice that he will not be punished for doing so,” his attorneys wrote.
Smith has rarely spoken publicly throughout the Trump legal saga, though he recently delivered a forceful defense of his team while speaking at University College London.
“The idea that politics played a role in who worked on that case, or who got chosen, is ludicrous,” Smith said during the event. He added that his staff consisted of “Apolitical people who wanted to do the right thing and do public service.”
Democrats on Capitol Hill are urging Jordan to accept the offer for an open hearing. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said the testimony could bring clarity while also revealing documents and findings that have not yet been released.
“Mr. Smith has made clear that he is prepared to address those allegations publicly, and I can think of no reason to deny the American people the opportunity to hear his testimony,” Raskin wrote, calling a public appearance “a welcome surprising twist.”
He argued that a closed session would only fuel partisan narratives, saying, “There is no reason his appearance should be in the shadows of a backroom and subject to the usual tiresome partisan tactics of leak-and-distort.”
