Read Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump

Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas

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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.

"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.

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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.

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By Eric Tucker, Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press

By Eric Tucker, Associated Press

By Eric Tucker, Associated Press