Bondi's DOJ Accidentally Gave Congress Damning Smith Evidence Against Trump

In a remarkable own goal, Attorney General Pam Bondi's DOJ released Jack Smith case materials to the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee on March 13, 2026. The intent was to provide material that would discredit Smith's investigation. Instead, the release included a January 2023 prosecution memo containing damning evidence about Trump's conduct.

The memo revealed:

• The FBI determined classified documents Trump retained "would be pertinent to certain business interests" — establishing a motive beyond mere negligence
• Classified materials were "commingled with documents created after Trump left office" — suggesting intentional retention for post-presidency use
• Trump showed a classified map to passengers on his private plane during a June 2022 flight, including Susie Wiles (now White House Chief of Staff)
• At least one document was so sensitive that only 6 people in the entire U.S. government had access to it

Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote to Bondi: "Your department quite amazingly missed the fact that some of the documents you provided include damning evidence about your boss's conduct." He noted the release may also violate the gag order that Trump's own legal team had demanded from Judge Cannon.

Raskin set an April 14 deadline for the DOJ to produce all remaining investigative files. Volume II of Smith's final report — covering the classified documents case — remains permanently sealed per Judge Cannon's February 2026 order.