Sen. Ron Johnson on Thursday accused former special counsel Jack Smith of lying to Congress when he denied obtaining text messages from lawmakers during his investigation into President Donald Trump and told Newsmax that the former prosecutor should be held accountable.
Asked during a December 2025 congressional deposition whether his team looked at "the content of text messages" during his twin probes into Trump, Smith answered, "No."
Speaking on Newsmax's "Bianca Across the Nation," the Wisconsin Republican discussed reports that Smith's team obtained text messages from 44 members of Congress during its investigation into Trump's efforts to challenge the 2020 election.
"It sure looks like an open-and-shut case, doesn't it?" Johnson said. "He was asked point blank, 'Did you gather up, did you look at text messages from members of Congress?' And he did."
Johnson said investigators typically use a "filter team" to review subpoenaed records before the investigative team receives them, removing attorney-client communications and material protected under the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause.
"The investigatory team should have known that they were dealing with a hot potato here," Johnson said. "But that's how egregious this investigation was. The weaponization, they could care less about Justice Department rules or procedures."
Johnson said Smith's testimony amounted to lying to Congress.
"From my standpoint, this is an open-and-shut case of lying before Congress," he said.
Johnson said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is likely to refer the matter to the Justice Department but added he is not sure a referral is even necessary.
"This looks like an open-and-shut case of lying before Congress, which is a felony, I think, punishable up to five years," Johnson said. "This is serious."
Johnson said Smith "needs to be held accountable" and criticized what he called a lack of media attention to the allegations.
"This never should have happened," Johnson said. "Jack Smith needs to be held accountable."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com