Why doesn't MAGA want J6 Special Counsel Jack Smith to testify publicly to Congress? Wouldn't having him under oath be a slam dunk to indict him?

[DrPepper12]

MAGA Congress SHOULD ✅ have him testify

MAGA Congress SHOULDN'T 🚫 have him testify

[Twodogs0525]

When people testify in public they constantly refuse to answer questions because they claim it "classified". When they testify behind closed doors, they can't refuse to answer, because all the congressional members and attorneys present have clearance. In other words, they can hide certain things when testifying in public and prevent themselves from perjuring themselves.

[DrPepper12]

Or conversely they can reveal certain things in public that the inquisitors don't want public.

Also, even if it's private testimony the person can still take the fifth to not answer questions even if it's not true and just used as a maneuver to not answer.

[Twodogs0525]

When you're the key witness and testifying before a congressional oversight committee, you can't pick and choose when you invoke your 5th Amendment privilege. You're either all in or not.

[DrPepper12]

False unless agreed to prior to being sworn in. You can claim the fifth at any time for anything

[Twodogs0525]

No, you can't. If you claim the fifth, you can NO LONGER answer questions within that scope. The reason you invoke the fifth, is to prevent self incrimination of yourself or others, so, you can't answer another question within that scope of questioning that may show your innocence. It's all or nothing. When they testify in public, they can avoid answering a self incriminating question by saying it's "classified" or they can actually be less than candour knowing there isn't any other testimony.

[Likes2drive]

Maybe he has incriminating evidence besides indicting himself

[DrPepper12]

Bet your ass he does!

[exitseven]

I thought he was going to have to testify under oath. when did this change?

[DrPepper12]

It's fluid. The question is what can he testify about without violating DOJ guidelines and will it be public or private.

Congress has demanded testimony and documents, citing concerns over the scope and motivations of the investigation. Jack Smith has publicly offered to testify in an open hearing, but this is pending authorization from the DOJ. The disagreement over whether the testimony should be public or private, as well as the outstanding issues of DOJ authorization and grand jury secrecy, are currently the main hurdles.