Sen. John Kennedy on Jack Smith
Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana recently spoke with Fox News co-anchor John Roberts regarding a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing involving former special counsel Jack Smith. During the discussion, GOP lawmakers questioned Smith about potential political overreach in his investigations of former President Donald Trump. Kennedy expressed his worries about the FBI’s communication concerning classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and raised doubts about the objectivity of the federal prosecutions.
Smith claimed he had “never met” former CIA Director John Brennan when asked if Brennan had provided any consultation during his time as special counsel. However, newly declassified records show that some of Smith’s team met with Brennan while they were preparing the case against Trump regarding classified documents.
This new information adds complexity to the scrutiny Republicans have directed at Smith’s investigations, which they allege are marked by political bias and misconduct. Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law professor, called Smith’s work a “partisan weapon” that violated rules and misled the court. Another critic, investigative reporter John Solomon, referred to Smith’s actions as part of a “10-year conspiracy” aimed at undermining Trump using governmental resources.
Smith recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he faced probing questions about potential bias and overreach in his investigations, including the Arctic Frost probe related to the 2020 election and his classified documents case known as “Plasmic Echo.” Chairman Chuck Grassley took Smith to task, asking if he had received any consultation from Brennan during his time as special counsel.
Smith reiterated that he had never personally met Brennan. Yet, the records revealed that aides working under Smith had indeed engaged with the former CIA director, suggesting a level of connection that contradicted Smith’s assertions. Grassley remarked that Smith’s response seemed evasive and misleading at the very least.
Moreover, the declassified documents highlighted a meeting in November 2023, involving Smith’s team and Brennan, focused on testimony related to national defense information for the upcoming trial against Trump. This meeting has raised additional questions about the integrity of Smith’s investigations.
Grassley emphasized that the meeting constituted a form of consultation with Brennan, which Smith did not acknowledge. During the hearing, when asked about any conversations with Brennan, Smith stated he had no recollection of such encounters.
As the investigations proceed, Grassley and other GOP members continue to challenge Smith’s methods, citing concerns over the breadth of his inquiries, including accessing sensitive information about Trump’s supporters. Smith, on his part, has denied any claims of political motivation behind his work, insisting that decisions were based solely on evidence.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Smith’s legal team and the Justice Department regarding the Brennan meeting but has yet to receive a response.
