{"id":2672793,"date":"2026-09-29T16:11:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jack-smith-dodges-questions-about-spying-on-republican-lawmakers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T16:17:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T20:17:23","slug":"jack-smith-dodges-questions-about-spying-on-republican-lawmakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jack-smith-dodges-questions-about-spying-on-republican-lawmakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Jack Smith dodges questions about spying on Republican lawmakers"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjack-smith-dodges-questions-about-spying-on-republican-lawmakers%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2672793&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about his investigations into President Trump prior to his reelection. During the hearing, Smith defended secretly obtaining phone records of Republican lawmakers, including contributions from donors across all 50 states, D.C., adn Puerto Rico, which contained personal information such as addresses, bank details, and signatures. He clarified that investigators aimed to identify who communicated with whom and when, rather than the content of calls. Smith also discussed communications between Trump officials and Congress, confirming he consulted with the Department of Justice before issuing subpoenas for congressional records, though he couldn&#8217;t confirm if geolocation data was included. The investigation extended to surveillance of Republican lawmakers and their associates, leading to accusations from senators about overreach, with some critics viewing the broad scope as overly intrusive. Additionally, new disclosures questioned aspects of Smith\u2019s handling of classified documents, noting initial assessments that the matter was unlikely criminal. The hearing included tense exchanges, questions about the legality and scope of subpoenas, and accusations from Senate members about aggressive tactics targeting Republicans, with investigations set to continue.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former special counsel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jack-smith\/\">Jack Smith<\/a> defended secretly obtaining Republican lawmakers\u2019 phone records, but he could not say on Tuesday whether his subpoenas sought their physical locations, nor could he recall key details about his demands for conservative fundraising information.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Senate Judiciary Committee marked Smith\u2019s first time testifying to its members about the nature of his investigations into President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> prior to Trump\u2019s reelection, as Republicans confronted Smith with records showing how far those investigations extended beyond the president. At the outset of the hearing, Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-grassley\/\">Chuck Grassley<\/a> (R-IA) disclosed that investigators obtained <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4746937\/grassley-smith-check-trump-donors-bank-account-numbers-arctic-frost\/\">at least 4,782 donor checks<\/a>, including for contributions to Trump as small as $1.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-e18f0c2d-8f3b-4708-a900-e10b4159995b-style\">@scope (#mos-e18f0c2d-8f3b-4708-a900-e10b4159995b) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-e18f0c2d-8f3b-4708-a900-e10b4159995b-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-e18f0c2d-8f3b-4708-a900-e10b4159995b) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-e18f0c2d-8f3b-4708-a900-e10b4159995b\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Allison Robbert)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/09\/localimages\/AP26272643375937.jpg?w=696&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/09\/localimages\/AP26272643375937.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Jack Smith.&#8221; class=&#8221;wp-image-4747283&#8243;  ><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Allison Robbert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The previously unreported extension of Smith\u2019s sprawling investigation concerned checks covering donations to Trump\u2019s campaign and Trump-aligned groups from September 2019 through August 2023 by Americans across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. They contained home addresses, bank account and routing numbers, and signatures. The records were routed to former FBI agent Walter Giardina.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEvery member on this committee ought to be outraged for what happened to their constituents,\u201d Grassley said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-a-sweeping-investigation-of-the-conservative-movement\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A sweeping investigation of the conservative movement<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grassley for months has released records showing the surveillance by Smith\u2019s team extended to a large number of Republican lawmakers as well. Those discoveries led Grassley to delay Smith\u2019s appearance before the committee to ensure maximum oversight over his handling of the cases. Smith previously testified before the House counterpart committee in January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) pressed Smith on whether the collection of lawmakers\u2019 phone toll records also extended to tracking their whereabouts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you define toll records to include geolocation data?\u201d Lee asked.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jack Smith won&#8217;t answer if he was tracking the location of members of Congress: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenMikeLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SenMikeLee<\/a>: \u201cDo you define toll records to include geolocation data?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>SMITH: &#8220;Uh, I would have to look at the subpoena.\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ek3CFudN7I\">pic.twitter.com\/ek3CFudN7I<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RNCResearch\/status\/2104959408396771819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI would have to look at the subpoena,\u201d Smith replied.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith said investigators primarily wanted to establish who communicated with who, when calls occurred, and their duration, rather than what was said on the calls. He could not recall whether the demands included other information.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of Smith\u2019s surveillance sweep, he obtained communications between Trump White House officials and members of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> through National Archives records. Grassley has said subpoenas for 87 White House phones yielded communications involving 44 lawmakers, including the contents of personal conversations, not just phone tolls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith said he consulted with the Department of Justice\u2019s Public Integrity Section before seeking congressional toll records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy recollection is that they approved of the subpoenas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That defense was telling, in part because new disclosures made public Tuesday morning about his top prosecutors, J.P. Cooney and Molly Gaston, showed they discussed desires to curtail congressional protections almost two years before joining Smith\u2019s team. In a Jan. 5, 2021, message, Cooney, who is now running as a Democrat for Congress, advocated repealing the speech or debate clause while acknowledging prosecutors remained bound by it, the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4746372\/jack-smith-deputy-advocated-repealing-congressional-protections-prior-january-6\/\">first reported<\/a> on Tuesday. The speech or debate clause gives members of Congress special protections from the other two branches of government for their legislative activities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) challenged the secrecy surrounding investigators\u2019 acquisition of her late brother Lindsey Graham\u2019s records.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow the hell was Lindsey going to tamper with evidence he didn\u2019t even have in his possession?\u201d she asked, emphasizing that Verizon was the third party in possession of the records. Smith had sought to conceal the fact that he obtained lawmakers\u2019 phone records by arguing that he was worried that members would destroy evidence if they had known about the subpoenas.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smith called Graham \u201ca patriotic public servant\u201d but said he likely would have been a potential witness in a trial against Trump, saying the late senator had investigated and rejected Trump\u2019s election claims, a point he made earlier in the hearing as well for figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and former Republican Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pressed on why the nondisclosure order cited evidence destruction, Smith pointed to possible witness intimidation by Trump. He offered no explanation of how Graham could have tampered with or destroyed Verizon\u2019s phone tolls concerning his name.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jack Smith says Lindsey Graham was not under investigation and Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DarlineGrahamSC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DarlineGrahamSC<\/a> (R-SC) responds: &#8220;I think you were just trying to bully my brother and other allies of President Trump. You caused my brother and a lot of other Senators a lot of stress and that makes me sick.&#8221; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jJLyDMfSeQ\">pic.twitter.com\/jJLyDMfSeQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 CSPAN (@cspan) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cspan\/status\/2104977126969491597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think you\u2019re just trying to bully my brother and other allies of President Trump,\u201d Graham Nordone said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) encountered similar memory lapses from the former special counsel. Smith could not recall whether his team subpoenaed records concerning the Republican National Committee or Turning Point USA, but remembered that his team sought records from the Conservative Partnership Institute.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/tedcruz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TedCruz<\/a> RIPS Jack Smith for targeting conservatives.   <\/p>\n<p>CRUZ: &#8220;Did your team subpoena the RNC?&#8221;   <\/p>\n<p>SMITH: &#8220;It is very possible.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>CRUZ: &#8220;Did your team subpoena Turning Point USA?&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p>SMITH: &#8220;I would have to look.&#8221;   <\/p>\n<p>CRUZ: &#8220;You have any idea who you subpoenaed?&#8221; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7lx7hPKnOJ\">pic.twitter.com\/7lx7hPKnOJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Real America&#8217;s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RealAmVoice\/status\/2104993081280151785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOK, good. We found one,\u201d Cruz replied.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked about donor and fundraising information, Smith said he had not seen the subpoenas \u201cin a very long time.\u201d He argued that investigators needed to determine whether people or organizations illegally attempted to block the peaceful transfer of power, although records used in that prosecution contained no evidence that any of the targeted groups were involved with criminal activity. Critics have characterized the sweep of conservative groups as overly broad.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-classified-documents-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classified documents questions<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grassley also released records challenging aspects of Smith\u2019s classified documents prosecution. According to the chairman, NARA\u2019s inspector general initially requested DOJ assessment and guidance about Trump\u2019s retention of some classified documents from his first term, rather than making a criminal referral. Internal communications described the FBI\u2019s early assessment that the classified information \u201cspillage\u201d issue was unlikely to become a criminal matter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separately, Grassley said former NARA general counsel Gary Stern edited DOJ court filings, challenging Smith\u2019s representations about the archive agency\u2019s limited role.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> pushed to obtain more details about Smith\u2019s account that are still under seal due to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-to-reinstate-remain-in-mexico-policy\/\" title=\"Biden admin. to reinstate \u2018Remain in Mexico\u2019 policy\">federal court order issued<\/a> by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, in the classified documents case. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced plans to seek a vote at the next committee business meeting to subpoena Volume Two of Smith\u2019s report, though Democrats lack the majority\u2019s support in the committee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked whether the Biden DOJ wanted the report released, Smith said he submitted his reports under department regulations. He also cited Cannon\u2019s restrictions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hearing\u2019s hostility sometimes gave way to spectacle. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) questioned Smith about an Atlanta Hawks game, but Smith recalled watching the Iowa Hawkeyes in Maryland instead. Schmitt <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4746785\/atlanta-hawks-iowa-hawkeyes-eric-schmitt-mix-up-jack-smith-hearing\/\">called him<\/a> a \u201ctotal dirtbag\u201d during the tense exchange.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking afterward with Andrew Kolvet on <em>The Charlie Kirk Show<\/em>, Schmitt said the purpose was to question Smith and see \u201cif he ensnares himself in lies because he\u2019s done that before.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schmitt also defended his line of questioning in response to an NBC News reporter. \u201cWe\u2019re asking if he was in Atlanta on Feb. 3 [2024] because there\u2019s text messages about him being at a basketball game, a Hawks game. \u2026 My job here today was to ask questions and get answers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grassley closed the hearing by accusing Smith\u2019s team of using \u201cthuggish tactics to target the entire Republican political apparatus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4746937\/grassley-smith-check-trump-donors-bank-account-numbers-arctic-frost\/\">GRASSLEY SAYS SMITH SUBPOENAED NEARLY 5,000 CHECKS FROM TRUMP DONORS AS PART OF ARCTIC FROST<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added the record would remain open for one week for written questions, with responses expected within two weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis hearing is part of my investigative work, not the end of it,\u201d Grassley said. \u201cMy and Sen. Johnson\u2019s investigation will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jack Smith defends secret GOP lawmaker record searches, details unclear<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2672794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26272643378672.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[86120,12646,32463,5894,4633],"class_list":["post-2672793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-congressional-investigations","tag-espionage","tag-jack-smith","tag-politics","tag-scandal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26272643378672.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2672793"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2672797,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672793\/revisions\/2672797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2672794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2672793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2672793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2672793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}