Full Breakdown
House Judiciary Committee Refers Former Special Counsel Jack Smith for Criminal Investigation
7/23/2026, 6:38:52 AM
Core Event: Referral and Allegations
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche requesting that the Department of Justice evaluate whether former special counsel Jack Smith violated federal false-statement statutes during his closed-door deposition on December 17, 2025. Jordan asserts Smith “knowingly made false statements” about his team’s access to members of Congress’ text messages. The referral cites Justice Department records that, according to Jordan, show Smith’s investigators obtained the contents of text messages from 44 members of Congress.
Background & Context
Smith oversaw investigations into former President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) previously released documents indicating that Smith’s team accessed lawmakers’ text messages, including those of Grassley and Jordan.
Data & Statistics
- 44 members of Congress – lawmakers whose text-message contents were reportedly reviewed by Smith’s team, as identified in the Justice Department documents.
- The alleged access occurred without the standard “filter team” review designed to protect privileged communications.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jordan’s letter states: “The Committee on the Judiciary writes to refer strong evidence that appears to show Jack Smith, former Special Counsel, knowingly made false statements during his December 17, 2025 deposition.”
- Grassley said he received records confirming the review of text messages by Smith’s team.
Criticism & Opposition
Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin responded: “This referral deliberately distorts and misstates the facts… Mr. Smith may be telegenic but he is not telepathic.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The referral relies on internal Justice Department documents that have not been independently verified.
- No public indication has been provided regarding whether the DOJ will open a formal investigation or pursue charges.
- Smith’s attorneys have called the referral “meritless” and “spurious,” without offering a detailed rebuttal.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Committee on the Judiciary writes to refer strong evidence that appears to show Jack Smith, former Special Counsel, knowingly made false statements during his December 17, 2025 deposition,” – Jim Jordan
- “I received records frm [sic] DOJ confirming Jack Smith's investigative team reviewed the contents of text msgs sent by 44 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Im 1 of the 44 Im alerting my colleagues who were impacted and will release the records w Sen Johnson so American ppl can see the evidence,” – Chuck Grassley
- “This is absurd. Mr. Smith may be telegenic but he is not telepathic.” – Jamie Raskin
What’s Next
The Department of Justice will review the criminal referral and decide whether to open an investigation into the alleged false statements. No deadline for a decision has been disclosed.
