Jordan Targets Jack Smith

House Republicans ask DOJ to investigate former special counsel Jack Smith.

•Contested

'Embarrassment': Jim Jordan humiliated by ex-prosecutor for failing 'deposition 101'

Read the list: 44 lawmakers included in Jack Smith's text sweep as his legal reckoning grows

'Justice at Last': Jack Smith Referred to DOJ for Criminal Charges

Summary

A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan sent acting Attorney General Todd Blanche a July 22 criminal referral asking the Justice Department to investigate Jack Smith for allegedly making false statements under oath. Jordan says Smith misled the committee last year about whether his team obtained lawmakers’ communications while investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. DOJ records released by Republican-led Senate committees show Smith’s team reviewed texts between Trump White House officials and 44 current and former lawmakers. Smith’s lawyers rejected the referral as meritless.

The Coverage

How outlets are covering this story: how much of the coverage argues a viewpoint, and the angles that emerged — built only from the analysis and opinion pieces, never from straight reporting. Each dot is one article, placed by its outlet's bias — left to right. How to read our graphics →

· ·

Contestedcommentary from both sides — in disagreement.

What the analysis & opinion pieces argue

Baseless Referral

Jack Smith did not commit a prosecutable crime, and the referral rests on weak or bogus accusations. Republicans are attacking him for actions that followed Justice Department rules, including rules in place during Trump’s administration.

Smith Under Scrutiny

Jack Smith may face legal consequences because his team allegedly obtained lawmakers’ communications and he may have misled Congress about it. The referral is presented as a justified response to possible false testimony tied to his Trump investigations.