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NEW: DOJ Investigating Jack Smith After He Was Accused of Lying to Congress and Obstructing Oversight
By Extra Extra Editorial
Cross-spectrum analysis, synthesized with AI from 8 sources · Updated
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has issued a criminal referral to the Department of Justice against Jack Smith, the former special counsel who led investigations into former President Donald Trump. Jordan's referral alleges that Smith made false statements to Congress and obstructed congressional oversight during his tenure. The referral represents a formal request that the DOJ investigate Smith for potential criminal charges related to his conduct and testimony. This action follows Republican criticism of Smith's prosecutorial decisions and investigative methods in the Trump-related cases.
Left-leaning outlets present the referral as a Republican effort to undermine a prosecutor who investigated Trump, framing it within the broader context of GOP attempts to discredit the special counsel's work. These sources emphasize that Republicans are initiating the action and treat it as part of a pattern of political retaliation rather than legitimate oversight.
Center and independent sources focus on the factual mechanics of the referral itself—what Jordan specifically alleged and the formal process being initiated. They present the action as a significant development without heavily emphasizing either vindication or political motivation, allowing readers to assess the claims more directly.
Right-leaning outlets frame the referral as overdue accountability for prosecutorial misconduct, using language that emphasizes justice and correction of wrongdoing. These sources treat Smith's alleged false statements as serious violations deserving criminal investigation and present the referral as a necessary check on prosecutorial power that operated without adequate oversight.
Key Differences
- Right outlets emphasize criminal accountability and justice language, while left outlets contextualize the referral as political retaliation against Trump's prosecutor
- Center sources focus on the procedural and factual details of the referral itself, whereas left and right sources immediately situate it within broader partisan narratives
- Right coverage outnumbers left coverage 2-to-1, suggesting asymmetric media attention to this development across the political spectrum
How this story is being covered
Extra Extra has grouped 8 reports on this story from 8 news outlets across the political spectrum. By political lean, that breaks down as 2 left-leaning, 2 center, and 4 right-leaning sources.
With a coverage-diversity score of 95 out of 100, this is one of the more evenly reported stories in our index right now — left, center, and right outlets are all giving it attention.
On reliability, 4 of the 8 rated outlets carry a high or mostly-factual reliability rating (A or B) and 4 outlets fall into our mixed or lower-reliability tier (C or D). Ratings are drawn from independent assessments and are meant to help you weigh each report, not to tell you which to trust.
Coverage of this story has developed over roughly 9 hours, so the perspectives below capture how the framing shifted as the story matured.
Below, the same story is laid out side by side as left, center, and right outlets reported it. Read across the columns and watch what changes: the headline emphasis, which facts lead, the adjectives, and what each side leaves out. The story itself rarely changes — the framing almost always does.
Outlets covering this story: CBS News, NPR, Straight Arrow News, PBS NewsHour, The Gateway Pundit, The Western Journal, Legal Insurrection, One America News.
Left(2)
CBS NewsBJul 23, 10:42 PM
GOP House Judiciary chair issues criminal referral against Jack Smith
Former special counsel Jack Smith, who attempted to prosecute then-former President Trump for his actions after the 2020 election, may now become a target of the Justice Department. CBS News homeland
NPRAJul 23, 2:12 PM
Republicans urge Justice Department to investigate former prosecutor Jack Smith
The former special counsel led two criminal investigations of President Trump and has been a frequent target of Trump's ire on social media.
Center(2)
Straight Arrow NewsBJul 23, 1:36 PM
Jim Jordan accuses Jack Smith of lying to Congress, calls for DOJ investigation
House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan has referred former Special Counsel Jack Smith for prosecution, accusing him of lying to Congress.
PBS NewsHourAJul 23, 4:49 PM
Rep. Jim Jordan refers Jack Smith for possible prosecution, saying he have have misled on Trump probe
Jordan referred Smith to the Justice Department for possible prosecution related to closed-door testimony about whether he had obtained records of lawmakers while investigating Trump's efforts to over
Right(4)
The Gateway PunditDJul 23, 8:00 PM
NEW: DOJ Investigating Jack Smith After He Was Accused of Lying to Congress and Obstructing Oversight
The Justice Department has received House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan's criminal referral of Jack Smith and is conducting an investigation into his false statements to Congress. The post NEW: DOJ In
The Western JournalDJul 23, 7:38 PM
'Justice at Last': Jack Smith Referred to DOJ for Criminal Charges
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio criminally referred Jack Smith to the Justice Department Wednesday, alleging the former special counsel made false statements during congressional testimony
Legal InsurrectionCJul 23, 4:00 PM
Jordan Hits Jack Smith for Criminal Referral for Alleged False Statements to Congress
"His conduct can only be understood as an effort to thwart the Committee’s inquiry by intentionally making false statements and representations before Congress." Jordan Hits Jack Smith for Criminal Re
One America NewsDJul 23, 10:30 PM
House Judiciary Cmte. Chairman Jim Jordan sends criminal referral to DOJ requesting prosecution of fmr special counsel Jack Smith
GOP House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan issued a criminal referral against former special counsel Jack Smith for alleged perjury during his testimony before Congress last December.
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