House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan refers Jack Smith to DOJ over alleged false statement
Axios · LC · trust 52/100
Add Axios on Google Former Special Counsel Jack Smith (C) arrives to testify during a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in December. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) referred former Special Counsel Jack Smith to the Justice Department on Wednesday, alleging he knowingly made false statements during congressional testimony last year.
Why it matters: The referral escalates House Republicans' efforts to scrutinize the former special counsel who prosecuted President Trump , even though the Justice Department is not required to act on congressional criminal referrals.
Driving the news: "Smith seemingly made willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact that contradict new documents obtained by the Committee from the Department of Justice," Jordan said in a referral to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche .
The other side: Smith's lawyers, Peter Koski and Lanny Breuer, in a letter to Blanche said the referral was "based on a spurious claim" that Smith had provided false testimony during his eight-hour deposition last December.
House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) in a statement called the referral "baseless" and "vindictive," saying Smith told the truth as he gave clear and consistent testimony.
Zoom out: Smith wound down two federal criminal cases he brought against Trump after the president was elected in 2024.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.
sms (opens in new window) facebook (opens in new window) twitter (opens in new window) linkedin (opens in new window) bluesky (opens in new window) Add Axios on Google What to read next Smarter, faster on what matters. Explore Axios Newsletters About Axios Advertise with us Careers Contact us Newsletters Axios Live Axios HQ Privacy policy Terms of use Axios Homepage Axios Media Inc., 2026
Read the original at Axios →
Open in TruthVane →