Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, is urging the Justice Department to consider criminal charges against former special counsel Jack Smith. Jordan accuses Smith of lying to Congress, an allegation dismissed by the committee’s top Democrat.
This request follows last year’s disclosure that investigators acquired phone records of several Republican lawmakers during a probe into President Trump’s conduct after the 2020 election. Smith had testified that his team only obtained “toll records,” detailing phone numbers called, but stated they did not receive phone call or text message contents.
Recently, the Justice Department informed lawmakers about a separate subpoena that led Smith’s team to access text messages between Trump-era White House staff and numerous members of Congress via the National Archives and Records Administration.
Jordan has accused Smith of making “materially false statements” and failing to disclose the subpoena to the National Archives. He insists that all individuals, including former public servants like Smith, must comply with congressional inquiries. In his communication to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Jordan requested an investigation into Smith’s actions.
The Justice Department spokesperson confirmed receipt of Jordan’s referral letter, affirming its commitment to investigating evidence of criminal conduct.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee’s top Democrat, described the referral as “baseless and vindictive.” He argued that Smith answered the relevant questions truthfully, asserting that the case “will get laughed out of court” if it reaches a judge.
Raskin highlighted that Smith was queried about subpoenas for GOP lawmakers’ toll records, not the subpoena to the National Archives. He stressed that Smith is not obligated to offer unsolicited information.
The situation is developing, and updates will follow. CBS News has reached out to Smith’s representatives for comment.
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