A closed-door deposition of Mr. Smith, conducted by the House Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2025, and later released in redacted form on December 31, 2025, has fueled discussions about the scope and conclusions of his probe into efforts to interfere with the 2020 election certification.
In the roughly eight-hour testimony, portions of which have been made public through transcripts and video released by congressional Republicans, Mr. Smith defended the decisions made by his office during its investigation. He stated that his team believed there was sufficient evidence to prove charges against Mr. Trump beyond a reasonable doubt in connection with alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. This included accusations of conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct an official proceeding—the congressional certification of the Electoral College vote on January 6.
Mr. Smith emphasized that the investigation focused on whether actions taken by Mr. Trump and associates violated federal law in attempts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power. He reiterated that the violence at the Capitol “does not happen” without Mr. Trump’s promotion of false claims about widespread election fraud, which he said fueled the mob’s actions. In subsequent public testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2026, Mr. Smith stood by his prior assessments, describing the January 6 attack as an assault on democratic institutions and noting that Mr. Trump bore responsibility for inciting the events through his rhetoric and inaction during the riot.
Reports from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, and PBS News describe Mr. Smith’s remarks as a firm defense of his work, rather than introducing entirely new “explosive” evidence. The deposition transcript, spanning 255 pages in its redacted version, includes exchanges where Mr. Smith affirmed that his office had gathered evidence supporting charges of election interference and obstruction of justice. However, the cases were ultimately dismissed following Mr. Trump’s re-election in 2024 and his return to the presidency, as department policy generally precludes prosecuting a sitting president.
No accounts from major news organizations corroborate claims of a sudden “explosion” during a closed-door session revealing direct new ties or Mr. Trump’s “chilling inaction” in a manner that triggered immediate White House panic or nationwide outrage. Instead, coverage highlights partisan tensions: Republican committee members questioned Mr. Smith’s methods, including the use of subpoenaed phone records from lawmakers, while Democrats praised his commitment to the rule of law. Mr. Smith criticized what he described as potential retribution against prosecutors in the new administration and condemned blanket pardons issued for January 6 defendants.
The deposition and follow-up hearing have reignited debates over January 6 accountability, with Mr. Smith asserting that his investigations uncovered “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” in both the election case and a separate classified documents matter. Yet, the proceedings occurred under subpoena from the GOP-led committee, which framed them as oversight of alleged Justice Department overreach during the prior administration.
Public reaction has been mixed, with clips and excerpts circulating online, but no widespread trending “meltdown” or full eight-hour footage release has been reported as imminent or suppressed. Legal experts note that while Mr. Smith’s testimony provides insight into the evidentiary basis for the now-dropped indictments, it does not constitute new criminal proceedings.
The events underscore ongoing divisions over the January 6 Capitol attack, which resulted in injuries to law enforcement officers, multiple deaths, and a temporary disruption of the electoral certification process. Mr. Trump’s supporters maintain that the prosecutions were politically motivated, while critics argue they reflected legitimate efforts to uphold election integrity.
