Jack Smith Faces Congressional Referral Over Alleged False Statement

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan sent a formal referral to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on July 22, alleging that former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith violated 18 U.S.C. § 1001 by making false statements during his December 2025 deposition before the committee. The referral claims Smith misled investigators about whether his office had sought warrants for members of Congress’ text‑message content, asserting that the testimony suggested no substantive communications were obtained, while records indicate otherwise.

Smith’s attorneys contend the testimony was truthful and that the referral merely criticizes his failure to provide unrequested information. Former federal prosecutors say any criminal charges are unlikely because the alleged conduct occurred in Washington, D.C., and would have to be prosecuted there, where grand juries have historically resisted cases driven by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has publicly called for Smith’s prosecution, but legal and jurisdictional hurdles make such a move doubtful.