Jack Smith Testifies on Subpoenas for Republican Lawmakers' Records

Former special counsel Jack Smith defended the secret acquisition of phone records from Republican lawmakers during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 29, 2026. Smith was unable to confirm whether his subpoenas included requests for the physical locations of the lawmakers or recall specific details regarding his demands for conservative fundraising information. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) revealed that investigators obtained at least 4,782 donor checks related to contributions to former President Donald Trump's campaign, with amounts as low as $1. The investigation covered donations from September 2019 to August 2023, involving Americans from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and included sensitive information such as home addresses and bank details. Grassley expressed outrage over the implications of the surveillance on constituents. Smith's testimony marked his first appearance before the committee regarding his investigations into Trump, which have reportedly extended beyond the president to include numerous Republican lawmakers. Smith stated that the primary goal of the investigations was to determine communication patterns rather than the content of conversations. He also mentioned that he consulted with the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section before issuing subpoenas for congressional toll records. During the hearing, Smith faced questions regarding the secrecy of his investigations, particularly concerning the records of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, with Graham Nordone (R-SC) expressing concern over the implications of the subpoenas. Smith indicated that Graham may have been a potential witness in a trial against Trump due to his previous investigations into Trump's election claims. The hearing also highlighted Smith's inability to recall specific details about subpoenas related to other conservative organizations.