House Republicans request DOJ probe of former special counsel Jack Smith
Republican leaders wrote to the Justice Department urging a criminal investigation into Jack Smith, alleging false statements during his congressional testimony, while Democrats and Smith’s attorneys dispute the claim.
Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday asking for a criminal investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith. The request alleges that Smith gave "willfully and intentionally false statements" while testifying under oath in December about his effort to obtain phone records of lawmakers.
Chairman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, said the referral was based on Smith’s answers concerning subpoenas issued six years ago for phone records of legislators who communicated with White House officials. Smith’s lawyers responded that he provided "truthful, responsive answers" and that Republicans never asked the specific questions underlying the allegation.
"This referral reflects a chilling eagerness to weaponize the justice system by attacking a career, nonpartisan public servant who faithfully and fearlessly performed his duties by following the facts and the law," wrote attorneys Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski.
Democratic Judiciary Committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin said the referral would be "laughed out of court" and accused Republicans of distorting the facts.
"This referral deliberately distorts and misstates the facts, including what questions the Republicans actually asked at Mr. Smith's interview," Raskin said.
Smith, who previously led two criminal investigations of President Donald Trump, has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism on social media. The Justice Department has not yet indicated whether it will open a criminal case.