House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan accused former special counsel Jack Smith of misleading Congress about records obtained during investigations involving President Donald Trump and asked the Justice Department to consider criminal charges.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, formally referred former special counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution Wednesday, alleging that Smith made deliberately false statements during congressional testimony.
Jordan sent the referral to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after newly released records appeared to conflict with Smith’s account of whether investigators obtained or reviewed text messages belonging to members of Congress during his investigations into President Donald Trump.
The dispute centers on testimony Smith gave to the House Judiciary Committee about the scope of his investigative activity. Smith had denied obtaining or reviewing lawmakers’ text messages, but Republicans say recently disclosed documents contradict that claim.
Jordan argued that the discrepancy was not the result of confusion or faulty recollection. He accused Smith of intentionally misleading the committee to interfere with its oversight work.
“All individuals have an obligation to comply with a duly authorized congressional inquiry. Mr. Smith, a former public servant, is no different,” Jordan wrote in his letter to Blanche, according to Fox News. “Yet his testimony included intentionally false statements designed to obstruct the Committee’s oversight.”
Jordan asked the Justice Department to examine whether Smith’s statements violated federal law and whether prosecution is warranted.
“His conduct can only be understood as an effort to thwart the Committee’s inquiry by intentionally making false statements and representations before Congress,” Jordan wrote.
The referral does not itself bring criminal charges. It asks the Justice Department to review the allegations, assess the underlying records and determine whether Smith’s testimony justifies further investigation or prosecution.
Smith served as special counsel during the Biden administration and led multiple federal investigations involving Trump. His work included inquiries that became a major focus of congressional oversight after Republicans gained control of the House.
Jordan’s referral marks a significant escalation in the committee’s confrontation with Smith. The matter now rests with the Justice Department, which must decide whether the evidence cited by the committee supports opening a criminal investigation into the former special counsel.
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