House Republicans are urging the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith, intensifying a political battle tied to the federal cases he once oversaw involving President Trump. The request puts renewed focus on one of the most prominent prosecutors connected to Trump-related legal scrutiny.
According to the lawmakers' argument, Smith made false statements last year about part of his work as special counsel. Their push asks the Justice Department to examine whether his conduct warrants a criminal review, adding a new layer to the fallout from the investigations he led.
Smith directed two criminal investigations involving Trump and has remained a frequent target of criticism from the former president, including repeated attacks on social media. The latest move by congressional Republicans fits into a broader effort by Trump allies to challenge the handling and legitimacy of those inquiries.
Any action by the Justice Department would likely draw sharp attention because of Smith's central role in some of the most consequential federal investigations connected to Trump. Even without an immediate outcome, the Republican request keeps the legal and political conflict surrounding the former special counsel in the spotlight.
