"Smith Stands Firm on Trump Prosecutions in Secret Congressional Testimony"

Special Counsel Jack Smith Defends Trump Prosecutions in Closed-Door Congressional Testimony December 18, 2023 In a closed-door session with the House Judiciary Committee, Special Counsel Jack Smith on Wednesday defended his investigations and prosecutions of President Trump, stating that his team had gathered sufficient evidence to prove Trump's involvement in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election. Smith's testimony came in response to a subpoena, after the committee rejected his offer to testify publicly. According to portions of his opening statement obtained by NPR, Smith emphasized that his prosecutorial decisions were based solely on Trump's actions, not his political affiliation or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election. "I made prosecutorial decisions without regard to President Trump's political association, activities, beliefs, or candidacy in the 2024 presidential election," Smith said, according to NPR. Smith's testimony is part of a broader investigation into Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election. The special counsel has been investigating allegations that Trump and his allies conspired to overturn the election results, including through efforts to pressure state officials and lawmakers to change the outcome of the election. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Smith to testify behind closed doors, after the committee rejected his offer to testify publicly. Smith's team has been working to gather evidence and build a case against Trump, and the special counsel's office has been cooperating with the committee's investigation. According to NPR, Smith told the committee that his team had developed "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" to support their claims against Trump. Smith's office has been investigating several key figures in Trump's orbit, including former White House officials and allies who have been accused of working to undermine the election results. The closed-door testimony is the latest development in a long-running investigation into Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election. The special counsel's office has been working to gather evidence and build a case against Trump, and the committee's investigation is part of a broader effort to hold Trump accountable for his actions. The House Judiciary Committee has not yet released a transcript of Smith's testimony, and it is unclear what specific information the special counsel shared with lawmakers. However, the committee's investigation is ongoing, and it is likely that further details will emerge in the coming weeks and months. In a statement, a spokesperson for the House Judiciary Committee said that the committee is "committed to getting to the bottom of the facts" surrounding Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election. The spokesperson declined to comment further on the specifics of Smith's testimony. The special counsel's office has been working to gather evidence and build a case against Trump for several months, and the investigation is ongoing. It is unclear what the next steps will be in the investigation, but it is likely that further developments will emerge in the coming weeks and months. As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the House Judiciary Committee is committed to holding Trump accountable for his actions, and the special counsel's office is working to gather evidence to support their claims. The outcome of the investigation remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the country is watching with bated breath.