Schmitt’s Basketball Mix-up Overshadows Smith’s Senate Testimony

Key points

• Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., accused Jack Smith of perjury for denying attendance at an Atlanta Hawks game on Feb. 3, 2024, but Smith correctly identified the event as a University of Maryland vs. Iowa Hawkeyes game featuring Caitlin Clark.
• Smith testified that his investigation into Trump was nonpartisan and proved 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that the former president engaged in serious crimes, rejecting claims of political bias.
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., confirmed the Maryland-Iowa game details, including a 93-85 final score and Clark’s 30 points, and criticized Schmitt for the factual error.
• Republican senators, including John Kennedy and Ted Cruz, used the hearing to attack Smith’s methods, with Cruz calling the probe the 'most egregious abuse of power in the history of the Department of Justice.'
• Schmitt refused to apologize for the error, stating that determining perjury is up to a prosecutor, and later posted on X that Smith was a 'Caitlin Clark fan.'

Background

This hearing was Smith’s third time testifying under oath on Capitol Hill and his second public appearance. Previous archive coverage noted that Smith clashed with Republicans over subpoenas for phone toll records and donor data, asserting his actions were legally justified to prevent obstruction. The current hearing continued the pattern of sharp exchanges, with Republicans seeking a 'smoking gun' to expose a political conspiracy, but the focus shifted to the basketball mix-up.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and AP News focused on the factual error by Schmitt, highlighting the confusion between the Hawks and Hawkeyes and Klobuchar’s correction. Politico emphasized the broader context of the hearing, noting that Republicans sought a 'smoking gun' but instead faced a 'gaffe' and personal insults from the panel. All three outlets agreed that the hearing was marked by personal attacks rather than new revelations, with right-wing commentators praising Schmitt despite the error.

Why it matters

The hearing highlighted the ongoing political battle over the dismissed Trump investigations, with Republicans attempting to discredit Smith and Democrats defending his actions. The factual error by Schmitt underscored the chaotic nature of the hearing and the difficulty for Republicans to find a 'smoking gun' to support their claims of a political conspiracy.

What to watch

Schmitt stated that determining perjury is up to a prosecutor, suggesting potential future legal action. The hearing also set the stage for continued political attacks on Smith and the DOJ, with Republicans likely to use the exchange in midterm election campaigns.