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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.

top 14 comments
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[-] Triumph@fedia.io 73 points 4 days ago

A prosecutor who is famously taciturn wanting to testify publicly feels important.

[-] prole 50 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Just fucking do it dude, at this point.

You don't need to testify in front of Congress to tell the truth

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 52 points 4 days ago

He wants it recorded officially in the government's public record.

[-] No_Eponym@lemmy.ca 37 points 4 days ago

The government's public record is just about as important and enduring as the East Wing of the White House.

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 12 points 4 days ago

That's not true at all, and you know it.

We can look up every single sentence ever said on the floor of Congress, recorded exactly as it was said for the record.

Without relying on media reports, their inevitable biases, and betting that they'll even be around after a few years or decades.

[-] No_Eponym@lemmy.ca 29 points 4 days ago

And until recently, you could stand in the East Wing. What makes you believe you will always be able to look up what is said in Congress if a determined dictator doesn't want you to?

[-] SnotFlickerman 18 points 4 days ago

Yeah the idea that they can't just start deleting shit because someone told them "no" is just dumb. If they want it gone, they'll torch it as fast as they can. I wouldn't be surprised if the library of congress was already on the chopping block planner.

[-] prole 10 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Bro, this administration is communicating over Signal. That shit is literally designed to disappear forever.

They will do whatever they want, and the GOP Congress will do whatever they want them to do.

[-] Archer@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Actually no. Things can be struck from the record

[-] brem@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Nobody gives a shit about them anymore. They are corrupt and can be purchased for pennies on the dollar.

[-] brem@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Tiktok or YouTube won't be taken seriously.

Maybe he should hijack a news station (like the Max Hedroom thing, but instead of spanking himself, the important thing he wants to say. Or both); that would get coverage.

[-] SCmSTR 2 points 4 days ago
[-] brem@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

Put a "Thank you for your attention on this matter ~ hearts and kisses, DJT" and they'll eat it up.

[-] Hayduke@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago

Geeze, just in time

this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2025
215 points (100.0% liked)

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