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◆ Mixed look for GrassleyEthics / CorruptionCongress / Members

Todd Blanche hearing turns to Jack Smith bombshells

Grassley said Smith’s team bypassed a screening process and said he intends to bring Smith before the committee.

Todd Blanche hearing turns to Jack Smith bombshells
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This article1 analysis · Oct 3, 2026
tl;dr

At Todd Blanche’s attorney general confirmation hearing, Republican senators pressed him about investigators’ access to lawmakers’ communications in the Trump investigation. Blanche pledged transparency and signaled openness to investigating former special counsel Jack Smith, while Sen. Dick Durbin criticized Republicans for not calling Smith to testify.

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Chuck Grassley R · IA · SEN
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Chuck Grassley
R · IA · SEN

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman who disclosed the collection of lawmakers’ messages and sought accountability

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Acting attorney general answering senators’ questions at his confirmation hearing

Blanche's version of this story ↗

Former attorney general named in questions about the investigation

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States
Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member who criticized Republicans’ handling of Smith’s offer to testify

Eric Schmitt
R · MO · SEN

Senator who said Smith should face prosecution

Former FBI director named in Cruz’s question about approval of the investigation

John Kennedy
R · LA · SEN

Senator who questioned Blanche about whether Smith obtained his emails

Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Senator who asked Blanche about investigating Smith for perjury

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Senator who questioned Blanche about approvals and the scope of Operation Arctic Frost

Susie Wiles
R · White House Chief of Staff

White House chief of staff whose phone data was described as having been obtained

Mike Lee
R · UT · SEN

Senator who criticized the reported access to lawmakers’ text messages

ALSO MENTIONED  Jack Smith, Former special counsel whose investigation and testimony are at issue; Kash Patel, FBI director whose phone data was described as having been obtained; Lisa Monaco, Former deputy attorney general named in Cruz’s question about approval of the investigation

Part of a bigger story

8 OUTLETS
Grassley Raises Allegation Smith Team Bypassed Screening of Lawmakers’ Messages

Outlets report that records released by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson show Jack Smith’s team accessed messages involving 44 members of Congress before screening. Grassley said he plans to bring Smith before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Center outlets present the claims as allegations, with one account also noting Smith’s defense. Right-leaning outlets emphasize alleged misconduct and possible accountability, though one situates the issue in Blanche’s confirmation hearing.

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