In a significant turn of events, House Republicans have released the transcript of Jack Smith's closed-door deposition from December 17. Smith, the special counsel appointed to investigate former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, used the session to defend his investigation against accusations of political bias and outlined potential strategies and witnesses that would have featured in a trial.

Smith’s testimony revealed a focus on leveraging testimonies from Republicans who supported Trump but recognized his defeat. Prominent figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and GOP elector nominee Lawrence Tabas were highlighted as individuals who placed country over party, potentially strengthening the case against Trump. Smith believed that their testimonies would have carried significant weight in court.

Despite the comprehensive nature of his investigation, Smith disclosed that he had not finalized decisions on charging Trump’s alleged co-conspirators, such as Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, primarily due to Trump's re-election which led to the closure of the investigation office.

Throughout the deposition, Smith maintained a composed demeanor, repeatedly asserting the integrity of his investigation and denying any influence from political pressures. He confirmed no communication with President Biden or any White House staff during the investigation, emphasizing adherence to Justice Department guidelines to avoid impacting the election outcome.

Interestingly, Smith opted not to pursue interviews with figures like Steve Bannon and Roger Stone, citing their uncooperative nature with congressional investigations and the minimal value they would add given their potential need for immunity.

The former special counsel also defended the acquisition of phone records from Republican lawmakers, stating the information was crucial for corroborating events leading up to and on January 6, 2021. This pursuit was strictly in line with DOJ policies and constitutional protections.

On a controversial note, Smith’s comments on Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the January 6 committee investigations, were seized by House Republicans to challenge the credibility of her testimony, which they claimed undermined the entire case against Trump.

Jack Smith's testimony underscores the complex and charged nature of the investigations surrounding the actions leading to and following the 2020 election. His detailed defense of the legal and procedural choices made during his tenure as special counsel paints a picture of a meticulous and steadfast approach to one of the most contentious periods in recent American political history.