Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, stated on Sunday that House Republicans are leaving all options open as they consider investigating special counsel Jack Smith.
“We want the facts,” Jordan told CNN’s State of the Union, following news that Smith and the Justice Department are winding down two federal investigations into President-elect Donald Trump.
Jordan emphasized the need for transparency, noting, “I assume there’s going to be some report. But all we’re saying is, ‘preserve everything,’ so we, the Congress, can fulfill our constitutional duty of oversight.”
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When pressed repeatedly on whether he would call Smith to testify, Jordan avoided a direct answer. “Maybe that’s been the norm, but we’re not taking anything off the table. I’m not saying for sure, but we want the information,” he responded.
On Friday, Jordan and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., sent a letter to Smith’s office, urging staff to “preserve all existing and future records” related to the special counsel’s investigations and prosecutions of Trump. The letter expressed concern that with Trump’s election victory, the Office of Special Counsel might attempt to purge relevant documents, records, and communications.
“We do want the facts, and that’s why we sent the letter. Mr. Loudermilk and myself sent the letter saying, ‘Hey, Mr. Smith, preserve this information,’” Jordan told CNN Sunday.
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Jordan’s position as chair of the House Judiciary Committee could be in jeopardy if Democrats succeed in flipping control of the House, as the outcome of several key battleground districts remains undecided.
The developments come as special counsel Jack Smith officially began winding down his investigation into allegations that Trump sought to overturn the 2020 election results. Later on Friday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted Smith’s request to temporarily pause the case, giving him almost a month to outline his next steps.
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