44 Lawmakers’ Texts Dragged Into Smith Probe, Sparking GOP Pushback

DOJ special counsel Jack Smith’s team retrieved and reviewed White House text messages involving 44 current or former lawmakers (covering Oct. 1, 2020–Jan. 20, 2021); the process reportedly bypassed a privilege-screening step. Republicans released the records and criticized Smith, and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan issued a criminal referral accusing Smith of misleading Congress, highlighting how the texts relate to the 2020 election and January 6 investigations and prompting ongoing political backlash.