Former Special Counsel Jack Smith has formally requested public, open-session hearings before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, citing widespread “mischaracterizations” of his investigations into Donald Trump’s handling of classified materials and alleged election-related misconduct.
In a letter sent by his legal team to the chairmen of the relevant committees, Smith emphasized his readiness to answer questions about the dual federal prosecutions under his oversight, provided the U.S. Department of Justice offers clear guidance on first-amendment-protected speech and grand-jury confidentiality issues. The letter also notes Smith must regain access to his former special-counsel files to respond fully and accurately.
Smith’s outreach arrives amid escalating congressional scrutiny of the investigations, with lawmakers from both parties pressing for documents, testimony and explanations regarding prosecutorial decisions, methodology and coordination with the Justice Department. Should the hearings proceed publicly, Smith would become one of the few special counsels in recent history to take the witness stand under oath before Congress.