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House Republican says Smith may have lied about Trump probe and refers him for possible prosecution
Summary by The Minneapolis Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by ABC , KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 23, 2026
· 4 min read
WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Republican lawmaker says he believes that special counsel Jack Smith may have lied to Congress while testifying about his investigation of President Donald Trump and that the Justice Department should consider prosecuting him. Lawyers for Smith deny the allegation and say ...
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Summary created by The Minneapolis Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting ABC, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The referral, sent Wednesday, centers on a December 2025 exchange in which Smith was asked about subpoenas that prosecutors had issued for the toll records of some Republican lawmakers as part of the investigation.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Minneapolis residents may wonder how a Washington D.C. controversy over special counsel testimony affects their community. The answer lies in the potential implications for congressional oversight and the Justice Department's handling of investigations. If the referral of Jack Smith for possible prosecution moves forward, it could set a precedent for how lawmakers scrutinize investigators and the information they gather. This, in turn, might impact the willingness of investigators to pursue sensitive cases, including those involving public figures or high-stakes elections. In the Twin Cities, where voters take pride in their civic engagement, any developments that could influence the integrity of investigations or the transparency of government actions are worth watching closely. As the situation unfolds, Minneapolis residents will be looking for assurance that the pursuit of truth and accountability remains a top priority, regardless of the political landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (AP) — A key Republican lawmaker says he believes that special counsel Jack Smith may have lied to Congress while testifying about his investigation of President Donald Trump and that the Justice Department should consider prosecuting him. Lawyers for Smith deny the allegation and say ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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