Story perspectives

Blackburn sues Jack Smith over secret Verizon subpoena

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 12:16 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Sen. Marsha Blackburn sued former special counsel Jack Smith over a secret subpoena of her phone records.
She filed the complaint on September 30, 2026 in the Middle District of Tennessee.
Blackburn alleges Smith’s appointment violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and the subpoena barred Speech or Debate protection.
The suit seeks a declaration of unconstitutionality, an injunction to destroy the Verizon records, and $1 in nominal damages.

History

Historical Context

On July 24 1974 the Supreme Court issued an 8-0 United States v. Nixon decision, written by Chief Justice Warren Burger, rejecting absolute executive privilege and ordering the president’s tapes released. The precedent underlies Senator Marsha Blackburn’s September 30 2026 lawsuit contesting Special Counsel Jack Smith’s subpoena of Verizon records as an unconstitutional breach of the Appointments Clause.

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Story summary

Sen. Marsha Blackburn sued former special counsel Jack Smith over a secret subpoena of her phone records.
She filed the complaint on September 30, 2026 in the Middle District of Tennessee.
Blackburn alleges Smith’s appointment violated the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and the subpoena barred Speech or Debate protection.
The suit seeks a declaration of unconstitutionality, an injunction to destroy the Verizon records, and $1 in nominal damages.

1 / 2