Jack Smith asks Congress and the Justice Department to allow him to testify publicly

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

Updated Oct 23, 2025, 5:53 PM ET
PUBLISHED Oct 23, 2025, 4:32 PM ET


Former special counsel Jack Smith is requesting that Congress and the Justice Department allow him to testify publicly, according to a new letter he sent Thursday to the leaders of the House and Senate Judiciary committees.

Smith says he wants to testify “in open hearings” because of “the many mischaracterizations” around his investigations that led to criminal charges against Donald Trump in 2023 for alleged mishandling classified records and actions related to the 2020 election results.

The letter, obtained by CNN, reflects a bubbling inquiry from Republicans in Congress who have accused Smith of wrongdoing in overseeing the prosecutors’ office. Smith has maintained he followed all court and Justice Department protocols.

Smith’s lawyers on Thursday told the Republican committee leaders, however, that he would need reassurance from the Justice Department that “he will not be punished” for testimony, since some of the facts of his special office investigations are still under seal in court or protected by grand jury secrecy rules. Jack Smith’s lawyers are expected to formally seek guidance from the Justice Department regarding possible congressional testimony, but have not done so yet, a source familiar to the plans told CNN.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/politics/jack-smith-asks-to-testify-congress

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Link to LETTER (PDF viewer) - https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26195522-jack-smith-letter-requesting-to-testify/

Link to LETTER (PDF) - https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26195522/jack-smith-letter-requesting-to-testify.pdf

[underpants]

1. The Republicans will never let that happen

We could get a good falling-on-your-sword exhibit with the Republicans to show fealty.

[gab13by13]

3. Never happen

Jack Smith has the documents, has the proof.

[gab13by13]

2. He would eat Gym Jordan alive

They won’t dare hold public hearings, can’t lie.

Any Magat Senators on the committee who received phone calls to delay the certification of votes. Smith will expose them if there are.

[lastlib]

7. We'd need to pump his stomach immediately if he did.....

That would be one toxic shit-infested meal. I don't think any mortal man could survive that.

[gab13by13]

4. Chuck Grassley is the chair

I bet he got a phone call to delay the certification.
Maybe Mike Lee too.

Smith has the phone records who Giuliani or Trump called.

[Wednesdays]

5. Yeah, that'll happen.

On the 27th of NEVER.

[BlueKota]

6. Their likely refusal would lead most logical people

to the conclusion that his testimony will be credible and that tsf's toadies are protecting him. They can't afford for the evidence that Smith gathered to become public.

Unfortunately logical and Republican are two words that haven't fit together in a long, long time.

[KS Toronado]

8. If dumpie had it his way, Jack would be falling out a window.

[debsy]

9. Like everyone else has stated, ...

That will never happen.

[MiHale]

10. Given...it may never happen...but...

So much noise must be made on why he’s not allowed to testify…much noise…it make them once again look like the REPUBLICANS are hiding something…

Epstein files…No Jack Smith testimony…why the coverups?

[Martin Eden]

11. Rethugs don't want the factual evidence broadcast to the public

The REAL criminal will be exposed.

[progressoid]

12. Awwww, isn't that quaint. He's being a gentleman.

Just fucking make a public statement.

The "Honorable" Jim Jordan and the "Honorable" Charles E. Grassley aren't honorable.

[H2O Man]

14. That's silly.

Mr. Smith has done interviews recently where he has said what he is allowed to say publicly without risk of violating DOJ policy or the law. He is requesting the ability to speak openly about other things -- that potentially violate DOJ policy and the law -- that he thinks the public needs to hear. How brave of you to write the utter nonsense you did.

[progressoid]

17. It IS silly.

It's 50% silliness,
50% seriousness,
and 50% incredulity.

I get that he wants/needs to follow DOJ rules. That's great. But let's face it, the current DOJ is playing by a separate set of rules than Smith is. Or indeed any rules at all. Since they seem to be just making things up as they go along.

[H2O Man]

19. The felon

has made it clear he wants the DOJ to charge Mr. Smith. It is correct that the administration does not go by policy or law. Hence, Democrats recognize the dangers that poses. The answer is not for those opposed to their gross abuse of power to react by breaking the law. Rather, it is to respond by following policy and law.

[Turbineguy]

13. Stalin Show Trial rules will be in effect.

No public trial. AON or Newsmax will publish the "transcript".

[LudwigPastorius]

15. Ha!

YOUR move, assholes.

Jack Smith may have been constricted by the rules and leadership of the Justice Department in the past, but there is no doubt at all that he is unafraid of craven politicians.

[JohnnyRingo]

16. He might as well have Epstein evidence

If he has testimony that is damaging to Trump Bondi will gag him and submarine any chance he will disclose it.

[mdbl]

18. These disgusting assholes should not have a choice whether its public or not

They should all be public hearings.

[FakeNoose]

20. Damn right

Uncle Sam pays the salaries of everyone in the Dept. of Justice as far as I know. Jack Smith is a very smart and ethical man, and he's doing the best he can within the boundaries of the law.