After a lengthy closed-door deposition with the House Judiciary Committee, Jack Smith, the former special counsel charged with leading high-profile criminal cases against President Donald Trump, is pushing for an open hearing to publicly defend his actions and counter ongoing Republican criticisms. In a recent development, Smith's legal team has formally requested that House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan allow Smith to testify publicly, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO.

The letter, penned by Smith's attorneys, Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski, emphasized the integrity of Smith’s investigation under immense scrutiny. “During the investigation of President Trump, Mr. Smith adhered strictly to Justice Department policies, complied with all legal requirements, and based his actions solely on the facts and the law,” the lawyers stated, affirming their client's confidence in his decisions. They also urged the release of the deposition video to present Smith's testimony directly to the public, avoiding distortions through secondary reporting.

During his over eight-hour testimony on Wednesday, Smith defended his decision to bring criminal charges against Trump, relating to the mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. While Smith maintained that the evidence gathered could prove Trump's criminal behavior “beyond a reasonable doubt,” he was unable to pursue prosecution due to a Justice Department policy that shields a sitting president from indictment.

Despite dropping the cases, Trump and his allies have portrayed Smith as a pivotal figure in what they claim is an effort to politicize the Justice Department under President Biden. This portrayal has intensified as it was revealed that Smith had also sought phone data from Republican Congress members as part of his investigations.

House Republicans, led by Jim Jordan, have been fiercely critical of Smith's conduct, with Jordan not dismissing the possibility of a public hearing. The backdrop of these events is a broader Republican pledge to scrutinize Smith's work, an effort that has gained momentum amid ongoing Justice Department actions perceived as targeting the president's adversaries.

Amidst these challenges, Smith must navigate the legal complexities of grand jury secrecy rules, DOJ policies, and judicial orders that restrict the disclosure of certain information, complicating his ability to fully disclose details during his testimony.

Democrats, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, argue that the private nature of the deposition has withheld crucial information from the public and potentially distorted the record of Smith's testimony. Raskin expressed hope for a public hearing, suggesting it would be revelatory and potentially embarrassing for Trump.

As the situation unfolds, the public and political figures alike await further developments, which could significantly impact not only the former president's legacy but also the perceived impartiality and function of key judicial and legislative bodies in the United States.