5 key takeaways from Jack Smith's deposition on the Trump probes

"Smith said the evidence surrounding the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol showed Trump was "the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy," adding that the attack wouldn't have happened without him. "I entirely disagree with any characterization that our work was in any way meant to hamper him in the Presidential election," he said."

"He testified that, in the weeks leading up to Jan 6. Trump fostered "distrust" and made "false statements" to inflame supporters before directing them to the Capitol. Smith added that during the attack, Trump "refused to stop it," intervening only after repeated pressure from members of his staff."

"FBI Director Kash Patel earlier this year shut down the bureau unit tasked with investigating public corruption after it was revealed that the phone records from nearly a dozen Republican senators were obtained during Smith's investigation into Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. When asked about the decision to subpoena lawmakers' phone records, Smith said his team sought the information "in a manner consistent with the law" and department policy. Smith also rejected claims of his team "tapping" the phone of Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), calling that characterization "inaccurate.""

"Smith emphasized that the decision to bring charges in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case was rooted in the facts and the law. He said the investigation uncovered "powerful evidence" that Trump willfully retained the materials and consistently "tried to obstruct justice" to maintain possession of them. Smith noted that he could not discuss many specifics because a significant portion of the material remains restricted by law."

The Jan. 6 investigation presents evidence attributing primary culpability for the Capitol attack to Trump, asserting the assault would not have occurred without his actions. The inquiry rejects any characterization that its work aimed to hamper the 2024 presidential campaign. Subpoenas for congressional phone records were obtained and described as consistent with law and department policy, while claims of "tapping" a senator's phone are labeled inaccurate. The Mar-a-Lago charges rest on evidence that classified materials were willfully retained and that efforts were made to obstruct justice during recovery; many investigative specifics remain legally restricted.

Read at Axios