Republican Judicial Chair Urges Inquiry into Former Counsel Jack Smith

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee, a Republican, has pushed the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Jack Smith. Smith, the former special counsel who charged President Trump, is accused of lying to Congress. These accusations have been denied by the committee’s leading Democrat.

Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio issued a criminal referral after it was revealed last year that investigators gathered phone records from several Republican lawmakers. This was part of an investigation into President Trump’s activities following the 2020 election. In a deposition, Smith stated his team did not access call or message contents, as the records were merely “toll records,” showing dialing details only.

However, the Justice Department informed Congress that a separate subpoena involving the National Archives and Records Administration enabled Smith’s team to obtain text messages between White House staff from Trump’s era and numerous Congress members. Jordan claims Smith made “materially false statements” and failed to disclose the subpoena regarding the National Archives.

“All individuals have an obligation to comply with a duly authorized congressional inquiry. Mr. Smith, a former public servant, is no different,” wrote Jordan. He contends that Smith’s testimony included falsehoods aimed at obstructing the Committee’s oversight.

Jordan has requested that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche investigate Smith. Whether or not to press charges following a congressional criminal referral remains within the Justice Department’s discretion.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed receiving the referral letter and stated it “will investigate all evidence of criminal conduct.” Meanwhile, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, dismissed the referral as “baseless and vindictive.” Raskin predicted the alleged case would “get laughed out of court” if brought before a judge.

Raskin explained that Smith was questioned about the subpoenas concerning toll records of GOP lawmakers, not the request to the National Archives. He insisted that Smith truthfully responded based on the committee’s inquiries, suggesting Republicans fault Smith for not providing unsolicited information.

“The Republicans fault Mr. Smith for not reading the minds of congressional investigators and for not volunteering information they didn’t ask for,” Raskin wrote. “This is absurd. Mr. Smith may be telegenic, but he is not telepathic,” concluded Raskin.

CBS News is awaiting a comment from representatives for Smith. This situation is developing and updates will be provided.