House Republicans warn Jack Smith to preserve records in Trump cases – Washington Examiner
House Republicans, specifically Reps. Jim Jordan and Barry Loudermilk, have urged special counsel Jack Smith to preserve all records related to his prosecutions of former President Donald Trump. They are preparing to investigate Smith if the GOP retains control of the House. In a letter, they requested communications between the Department of Justice and the White House about the Trump cases, expressing concern that relevant records might be deleted. Jordan and Loudermilk emphasized the necessity for transparency in Smith’s office, stating he should take measures to prevent any destruction of documents. They highlighted potential authority to subpoena Smith for documents and testimony if they secure majority control, a scenario that seems likely as election outcomes are still being finalized. The letter also referenced media reports indicating Smith’s office is preparing for potential backlash from Trump, who has vocally criticized Smith during rallies and online.
House Republicans warn Jack Smith to preserve records in Trump cases
A pair of House Republicans asked special counsel Jack Smith on Friday for records related to his prosecutions of President-elect Donald Trump in a sign that they plan to investigate Smith if the GOP maintains its House majority.
Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) asked Smith in a letter to provide them with all communications between the Department of Justice and the White House regarding the Trump cases and information about the FBI’s involvement in them.
They also told Smith to make certain nothing they requested was deleted, saying they were “concerned” that Smith’s office “may attempt to purge relevant records, communications, and documents.”
“The Office of Special Counsel is not immune from transparency or above accountability for its actions,” Jordan and Loudermilk wrote.
Jordan, who leads the House Judiciary Committee, and Loudermilk, who leads Republicans’ inquiries related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, described their letter as a “preservation notice,” saying Smith should “take all reasonable steps to prevent the destruction or alteration, whether intentionally or negligently, of all documents, communications, and other information … that are or may be responsive to this congressional inquiry.”
The Republicans would have authority to subpoena Smith for documents and seek his testimony next Congress should they hold their House majority, a prospect that appears increasingly likely despite a handful of House race outcomes remaining unclear.
Jordan and Loudermilk also cited a CNN report that said Smith’s office was “bracing for retribution” from Trump, who has incessantly criticized Smith at rallies and on social media.
Trump has over the past year vowed to fire Smith in “two seconds,” said he should be “thrown out of the country,” and called him a “sick puppy,” “deranged,” a “Trump-hating THUG,” a “fully weaponized monster,” and a “criminal.” Trump also called for Smith to be arrested.
Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump, brought two criminal cases against him regarding Trump’s handling of classified material and his false claims about winning the 2020 election.
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Following Trump’s election win, and much to the dismay of his critics, the DOJ signaled it planned to terminate its cases against Trump before he takes office, citing its longstanding policy that it does not prosecute sitting presidents because doing so would interfere with the separation of powers.
A spokesman for Smith declined to comment.
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