Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has issued a subpoena to former special counsel Jack Smith in connection to the committee’s investigation into the federal prosecutions of President Trump. In a letter sent to Smith and his legal team, Jordan requested that Smith appear for a closed-door deposition on December 17 and provide relevant documents by December 12. The specifics of the records sought remain unclear.
Jordan stated, “The Committee on the Judiciary is continuing to conduct oversight of the operations of the Office of Special Counsel you led — specifically, your team’s prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and his co-defendants.” He emphasized the committee’s belief that Smith possesses crucial information for their inquiry.
Peter Koski, representing Smith, responded by indicating the former special counsel’s willingness to comply with the subpoena, but expressed disappointment that Smith’s previous offer to testify openly before the Judiciary Committee was turned down. Koski highlighted that Smith looks forward to clarifying misconceptions surrounding his investigation, though the setting will be private rather than public.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who serves as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, criticized the Republican push as a “coordinated campaign to smear” Smith and his office. Raskin challenged the motivation behind the demand for a closed session instead of a public one, arguing that this tactic allows for selective interpretation and misrepresentation of Smith’s remarks. He defended Smith’s investigations, asserting that they adhered to legal standards and protocols, and expressed that the public deserves transparency in such matters.
The committee’s investigation persists despite Trump’s assertions that Smith’s actions are politically driven “witch hunts,” intended to undermine his candidacy ahead of the 2024 election. Trump has faced over 40 federal charges across two cases — one related to allegedly holding onto classified documents post-presidency and the other concerning claims of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
With Trump now back in office following the November 2024 election and the Republicans leading both houses of Congress, Smith remains under scrutiny from GOP attorneys as well as from the independent Office of Special Counsel. Smith had previously submitted a two-volume report on his investigations concerning Trump, but the second volume, which deals with the handling of governmental documents, has not been made public amid ongoing legal debates.
This evolving political landscape highlights the contentious dialogue surrounding the investigations into Trump, showcasing how deeply intertwined legal proceedings are with the dynamics of political power. The anticipation of future hearings and the ongoing debates over transparency and accountability may shape the public’s understanding of these significant inquiries.