By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-jack-smiths-full-deposition-on-the-decision-to-indict-trump Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Read Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump Politics Updated on Dec 31, 2025 5:47 PM EST — Published on Dec 31, 2025 3:41 PM EST House Republicans released a redacted transcript of former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's closed-door deposition over his team's efforts to investigate President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss. The 255-page document, released on the last day of 2025, accounts for some eight hours of testimony. Read the full indictment by clicking on the document below. In an opening statement, Smith said it was his decision to bring charges against Trump, "but the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions," adding that his team "developed proof beyond a reasonable double" that the president broke the law during his first term by withholding classified documents and obstructing efforts to recover them. Watch the eight-hour deposition in the video player below. Jack Smith's full House Judiciary deposition on investigating and indicting Trump in the player above. "I am both saddened and angered that President Trump has sought revenge against career prosecutors, FBI agents, and support staff simply for doing their jobs and for having worked on those cases," Smith added. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, had embraced the idea of Smith testifying publicly, though Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee turned down the idea. Throughout the deposition, Smith repeatedly batted down the idea that he and his team were motivated by politics. "I would never take orders from a political leader to hamper another person in an election. That's not who I am," Smith told lawmakers. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
House Republicans released a redacted transcript of former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's closed-door deposition over his team's efforts to investigate President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss. The 255-page document, released on the last day of 2025, accounts for some eight hours of testimony. Read the full indictment by clicking on the document below. In an opening statement, Smith said it was his decision to bring charges against Trump, "but the basis for those charges rests entirely with President Trump and his actions," adding that his team "developed proof beyond a reasonable double" that the president broke the law during his first term by withholding classified documents and obstructing efforts to recover them. Watch the eight-hour deposition in the video player below. Jack Smith's full House Judiciary deposition on investigating and indicting Trump in the player above. "I am both saddened and angered that President Trump has sought revenge against career prosecutors, FBI agents, and support staff simply for doing their jobs and for having worked on those cases," Smith added. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, had embraced the idea of Smith testifying publicly, though Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee turned down the idea. Throughout the deposition, Smith repeatedly batted down the idea that he and his team were motivated by politics. "I would never take orders from a political leader to hamper another person in an election. That's not who I am," Smith told lawmakers. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now