Jim Jordan Issues Criminal Referral for Jack Smith

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan issued a criminal referral to the Justice Department on July 23, 2026, requesting the prosecution of former special counsel Jack Smith. Jordan alleges that Smith provided intentionally false statements and half-truths during a December closed-door deposition regarding his investigations into Donald Trump. Specifically, Jordan claims Smith denied reviewing text messages from members of Congress while asserting his team only obtained phone toll records, despite evidence that they accessed messages from 44 lawmakers via the National Archives.

The referral follows findings by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, who indicated Smith's team may have bypassed filter team protocols designed to protect privileged information. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the Justice Department received the referral and stated it will investigate evidence of criminal conduct.

Lawyers for Jack Smith described the allegations as spurious and unimpeachably truthful, arguing that Smith was questioned about tolling records rather than National Archives subpoenas. Ranking Member Jamie Raskin condemned the referral as a baseless attempt to harass Smith and whitewash Republican participation in election interference schemes, asserting that the committee failed to ask the specific questions necessary to prove a lie occurred.