Jack Smith returns to spotlight at Blanche hearing over Senate messages

Former special counsel Jack Smith came under new scrutiny during Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing, as Republican senators raised concerns about how Smith’s team handled records tied to lawmakers' communications. Sen. John Kennedy pressed Blanche on whether the Justice Department would investigate allegations that Smith’s investigators obtained and reviewed text messages from current and former members of Congress during the Trump election probe. Kennedy also asked how the messages were collected and whether they were shared outside the team. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said records showed Smith’s team had access to messages involving 44 lawmakers and suggested the investigative process may have bypassed normal filterteam safeguards designed to protect privileged material. Blanche said the department has an investigation underway and noted that such checks are meant to make it difficult to review protected communications without proper cause.