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Smith Defends Subpoenas Amid Heated GOP Backlash

1/23/2026

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Story summary
  • Former special counsel Jack Smith defended subpoenas for Republican phone records at a Capitol Hill hearing, saying they were proper and necessary for investigations of U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • Republicans criticized the prosecutions as politically motivated, and Rep. Darrell Issa accused Smith of spying on lawmakers and not notifying Congress.
  • The hearing included a heated exchange between former officer Michael Fanone and a right-wing operative, illustrating the charged atmosphere.