On Wednesday night, July 23rd, 2026, the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, controlled by Republicans, referred former special prosecutor Jack Smith for criminal investigation. Committee chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, wrote to acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche alleging that Smith "made willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact" during his testimony regarding the acquisition of phone records from several Republican lawmakers.

Democrats have condemned the referral as a "baseless" and "vindictive" attack, accusing the committee of attempting to "weaponize" the justice system through what they describe as a "laughably weak and vindictive criminal referral." The referral stems from Smith's investigation into former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

The dispute highlights ongoing partisan tensions within Congress over investigations related to the 2020 election and the use of congressional oversight powers.

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