Former Biden special counsel Jack Smith might be facing legal troubles after Republican accusations of providing misleading testimony to Congress regarding his investigation into former President Donald Trump.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued a criminal referral for Smith, suggesting that recent records contradict Smith’s statements. Jordan’s referral asserts that Smith’s earlier testimonies were inaccurate regarding his access to lawmakers’ text messages during his investigations into Trump.

“All individuals have an obligation to comply with a duly authorized congressional inquiry. Mr. Smith, a former public servant, is no different,” Jordan stated, addressing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “His testimony included intentionally false statements designed to obstruct the Committee’s oversight.”

Jordan contends that Smith attempted to impede the Committee’s inquiry through intentionally false representations before Congress. Jordan pressed that the Justice Department examine if Smith’s actions merit criminal charges.

The controversy emerged after documents released by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, reveal that Smith’s investigative team accessed lawmakers’ text messages. This team’s actions allegedly targeted figures like Jim Jordan himself, Grassley, and several high-profile Trump supporters and officials.

The documents suggest Smith’s team might have breached investigative protocols, accessing texts not authorized by a “filter team” meant to protect privileged information. When confronted, Smith had initially claimed his team only pursued telephone toll records to obtain general call data, excluding content specifics.

The Justice Department has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these allegations. The implications are significant as they suggest potential misuse of judicial powers and breaches of privacy protocols.