# Republican-led committee refers special counsel Jack Smith for criminal investigation

A Republican-controlled House committee has formally referred former special counsel Jack Smith, who led federal prosecutions of Donald Trump, for a criminal investigation. The referral escalates partisan tensions over Trump's legal battles. This unprecedented step could set a dangerous precedent for targeting prosecutors based on political motivations.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/23/republican-committee-trump-jack-smith) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:59:42 GMT