Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department accusing former special counsel Jack Smith of lying to Congress. Smith, who previously led the federal prosecution of Donald Trump over his conduct following the 2020 presidential election, is alleged to have made false statements while testifying under oath. The referral raises the possibility that Smith, long regarded as one of Trump's fiercest legal adversaries, could himself now face criminal scrutiny from the department he once worked within.

The letter, sent on Wednesday to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, claims Smith "seemingly made willfully and intentionally false statements of material fact" during testimony given on 17 December. Jordan further alleged that Smith's conduct amounted to a deliberate attempt to obstruct the Judiciary Committee's inquiry by intentionally misrepresenting information. It remains to be seen whether the Justice Department will act on the referral.