Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on Wednesday that he intends to investigate and potentially prosecute former Special Counsel Jack Smith for perjury. The pledge came during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, where Blanche addressed questions from lawmakers about ongoing legal proceedings.
Blanche confirmed that he would pursue an inquiry into Smith following revelations that the former special counsel’s investigative team accessed the contents of text messages belonging to 44 members of Congress. Earlier in the week, records disclosed that Smith’s team had obtained and reviewed communications from these officials, contradicting Smith’s sworn testimony that no text message content was examined.
The controversy centers on Smith’s 2023 investigation, during which he was questioned under oath about the scope of his requests for call and text records. When asked explicitly whether the records included text message content, Smith responded, “No.” Subsequent disclosures, however, revealed that his team had in fact reviewed the messages of multiple legislators.
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, pressed Blanche on the issue during the hearing. “Have you thought about investigating Jack Smith for perjury?” Hawley asked. Blanche affirmed that he had. “We take testimony in this body very seriously,” he stated, adding that a decision on prosecution would follow a full investigation. Hawley echoed the sentiment, urging formal action against Smith.
The 44 affected lawmakers were identified through records obtained by a congressional office. The revelation has sparked renewed scrutiny over the boundaries of investigative powers and the legal obligations of officials to provide truthful testimony under oath.
Blanche’s confirmation hearing, the first of its kind following his appointment as acting attorney general, included bipartisan questions about his enforcement priorities. His response regarding Smith’s potential prosecution underscored the administration’s commitment to upholding legal accountability across all levels of government.
