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Jack Smith testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee amid Republican scrutiny

PBS NewsHour reports that former special counsel Jack Smith is testifying before the Senate following GOP allegations of misleading Congress.

Updated Sep 29, 2026 · 15:08 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • Former special counsel Jack Smith was scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 29.[PBS NewsHour]
  • The appearance follows House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan's criminal referral alleging Smith made false statements regarding access to lawmakers' records.[PBS NewsHour]
  • Smith's defense attorneys denied the accusations, maintaining his previous testimony strictly and accurately addressed toll records rather than message content.[PBS NewsHour]
  • The Justice Department is not legally bound to act on congressional criminal referrals, leaving any prosecution decision unconfirmed.[PBS NewsHour]

Key facts

  • Jack Smith was scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. EDT.[PBS NewsHour]
  • House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan referred Smith to the Justice Department, alleging he made false statements during December closed-door testimony about obtaining lawmakers' communications.[PBS NewsHour]
  • Jordan claimed Smith misled lawmakers regarding access to communications, pointing to records released by Sen. Chuck Grassley showing text contents for 44 lawmakers were acquired through the National Archives.[PBS NewsHour]
  • Attorneys representing Smith stated his statements were unimpeachably truthful because his responses strictly addressed toll records, which do not contain call or message content.[PBS NewsHour]
  • A congressional criminal referral carries no legal authority and does not compel federal prosecutors to pursue charges.[PBS NewsHour]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the Justice Department will initiate an investigation or pursue charges against Smith based on Jordan's referral remains unknown.[PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.