In a stunning and unprecedented move, former Special Counsel Jack Smith has called for public, open congressional hearings to testify about his investigations into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The bold request, sent in a formal letter to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, represents Smith’s most direct effort yet to counter what he describes as “many mischaracterizations” surrounding his work — misrepresentations that have been relentlessly spread by Trump and his Republican allies.

If Congress grants his request, the hearings could become one of the most consequential moments in recent political memory — putting Smith, a career prosecutor known for his restraint and precision, face-to-face with lawmakers in a live, televised forum that could expose Trump’s lies and reshape public understanding of the investigations that once threatened his political future.

Smith’s Letter to Congress: “Let Me Speak Publicly”

According to the letter obtained by congressional staffers, Jack Smith urged lawmakers to allow him to testify in open session rather than behind closed doors. His reasoning was simple: the American people deserve the truth, and transparency is the best weapon against misinformation.

“Public understanding of these investigations has been distorted by false and politically motivated claims,” the letter reportedly states. “If invited to testify publicly, I will provide the factual basis for the decisions made by my office — without compromising any remaining legal restrictions.”

However, Smith’s attorneys made clear that he would require assurances from the Department of Justice that he would not face legal consequences for discussing details that are technically still sealed or protected under grand jury secrecy rules. These safeguards would ensure that his testimony remains within the boundaries of the law while allowing him to address the lies being spread about his work.

A Nightmare Scenario for Trump and MAGA

For Donald Trump and his loyal defenders in Congress, this is a nightmare scenario. Trump and his allies have spent years painting Jack Smith as a “political hitman” or “Biden’s attack dog” — narratives designed to discredit the investigations that led to multiple felony charges before being dismissed by a Trump-appointed judge on technical grounds.

A public hearing, however, would flip the script. Instead of Smith being defined by MAGA talking points, he would have the stage — and the evidence — to defend his work directly to the American people.

“This is the last thing Trump’s movement wants,” said a former federal prosecutor familiar with the matter. “They’ve controlled the narrative by attacking Smith from the shadows. If he testifies publicly, they lose that control.”

Indeed, Smith’s calm, fact-based demeanor has long stood in stark contrast to the chaos and conspiracy that surrounds Trump’s orbit. In previous interviews, he dismissed claims of political bias, saying:

“The idea that politics would play a role in big cases like this — it’s absolutely ludicrous and totally contrary to my experience as a prosecutor.”

Support from Former Officials and Legal Experts

Smith’s decision has drawn praise from across the legal community. Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI, told CNN that Smith’s move could help “demystify” the investigations that have been twisted beyond recognition by partisan forces.

“I think it’s important that he’s speaking up in a way to kind of demystify what has been grossly misrepresented to the American people by the senators,” McCabe said.

Legal scholars also noted that while special counsels rarely testify publicly, Smith’s situation is unique. The cases against Trump have already entered the public consciousness in ways few criminal cases ever do. Allowing him to speak could serve the broader interest of truth and accountability.

The Stakes for Democracy and Public Trust

If Congress approves the hearings, they could become a defining moment for the rule of law in America. Smith’s investigations uncovered extensive evidence that Trump mishandled classified national security materials after leaving office and pressured officials to overturn the 2020 election results — actions that legal experts have described as serious threats to the democratic system itself.

Though those prosecutions were later dismissed by a judge appointed during Trump’s presidency, Smith’s team maintained that the dismissals were procedural, not exonerations. In other words, the evidence remains — even if the cases were halted.

Public testimony would allow Smith to walk the American people through that evidence step by step, showing exactly how Trump’s actions endangered national security and undermined faith in elections. For the Biden administration, this could be a mixed blessing: while Democrats largely support transparency, the hearings could reopen wounds and controversies at a politically sensitive time.

Still, for millions of Americans who watched years of political spin cloud the truth, Smith’s voice could be a rare and necessary corrective.

A Moment of Accountability

Whether Congress will grant Smith’s request remains uncertain. Republican committee chairs, who have often aligned with Trump, may attempt to block or delay the hearings. Yet denying him the opportunity to speak could also appear politically motivated — feeding the perception that the GOP fears what Smith might reveal under oath.

In the end, Jack Smith’s decision to go public represents a powerful act of defiance — a prosecutor refusing to be silenced or defined by political propaganda. His message is clear: let the facts speak for themselves.

And if that happens, the American people may finally get what they’ve been denied for far too long — the unvarnished truth about Donald Trump’s actions and the investigations that sought to hold him accountable.