Florida Representative Matt Gaetz has formally requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to disclose details about Special Counsel Jack Smith's team, including staff rosters and contact information. This request comes as former President Trump faces a Miami court appearance regarding the classified documents investigation led by Smith.

Gaetz's letter raises concerns about the composition of Smith's team, particularly highlighting a prosecutor who contributed to President Biden's 2020 campaign and faced prior misconduct allegations. The congressman argues that this information is crucial for public transparency and oversight, especially given the sensitive nature of the investigation.

Gaetz emphasizes that the public has a right to know who is involved in such a high-profile investigation and that privacy concerns should not be used to shield this information from scrutiny. He sets a deadline of July 7 for Garland to provide the requested information.

The letter also points to specific instances of alleged misconduct by members of Smith's team, including Karen Gilbert, who resigned from a previous position following allegations of misconduct. Additionally, Gaetz highlights Gilbert's political contributions to the campaigns of President Biden and former President Obama.

Gaetz's letter also contains a threat to pursue congressional action to defund Smith's office if the requested information is not provided. He argues that Congress has the authority to withhold funds from agencies not operating in the public interest.

This action coincides with Trump's arraignment in Miami and follows a similar move by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to introduce a measure to defund Smith's investigation. Greene has publicly stated her belief that the investigation is a politically motivated attack against Trump.

Gaetz has publicly supported Greene's proposal. Furthermore, Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Department of Justice seeking similar information about the staff working on Trump's case, following the DOJ's refusal to disclose the names.

The Trump campaign has been actively publicizing past reports about Smith and his team in an attempt to challenge their credibility. They have highlighted Smith's involvement in the Lois Lerner IRS scandal and recent misconduct accusations against Jay Bratt, another prosecutor on Smith's team.

A Trump spokesperson criticized the indictment as originating from "far-left prosecutors" and reiterated the demand for transparency regarding the composition of Smith's team. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida declined further comment, referring to Smith's previous statement affirming the ethical standards of his team.