Former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two criminal cases against Donald Trump in 2023, faced attacks from Republican senators during a wide-ranging hearing of the Senate judiciary committee on Tuesday. The hearing included accusations of perjury, a basketball mix-up, and a reference to the tooth fairy.
Republican senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri raised perjury allegations against Smith, seemingly over a mix-up regarding the Atlanta Hawks and University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball teams. Schmitt claimed Smith went to Atlanta for a Hawks game on 3 February 2024, and insinuated he may have met with former Fulton county district attorney Fani Willis. Smith denied attending an Atlanta Hawks game, clarifying he attended a University of Iowa Hawkeyes game in Maryland to watch Caitlin Clark play.
Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota admonished Schmitt for presenting the claim as evidence and accusing Smith of lying. The exchange became a highlight on social media.
Smith also testified to defend his handling of two federal investigations into Trump, one concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election and another regarding Trump’s handling of classified documents. Both cases were dismissed before going to trial. Republicans accused Smith of bringing the investigations to undermine Trump and targeting Republicans, including by subpoenaing phone records from members of Congress. Smith defended his practices, stating subpoenas were necessary to collect evidence that Trump called members of Congress to try to delay the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Other tense exchanges occurred, including Republican senator John Kennedy of Louisiana questioning Smith about alleged conversations between former president Joe Biden and then-attorney general Merrick Garland regarding Trump's prosecution, an allegation with no public evidence. Kennedy also told Smith, "You make me want to throw up in my mouth." Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas insinuated Smith used his position to target Republicans by requesting records from the Republican National Committee and other conservative lawmakers. Darline Graham, senator from South Carolina, accused Smith of "trying to bully" her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, and causing him stress with subpoenas. Smith responded that Lindsey Graham was not a target and would likely have been a witness.
Democrats, including Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who called the hearing "a farce," used the hearing to highlight the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol and accused Trump of inciting the mob. Smith stated he maintained a nonpartisan approach to the investigations and would prosecute a former president based on the same facts, regardless of party.