Republican's effort to accuse ex-Trump prosecutor of perjury backfires

Read the original at The Sydney Morning Herald ↗

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Republican's effort to accuse ex-Trump prosecutor of perjury backfires. (2026, October 1). The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/republicans-effort-to-accuse-ex-trump-prosecutor-of-perjury-backfires-20261001-p6120z.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

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Quick Summary

GOP Senator Eric Schmitt attempted to question former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith about attending a specific NBA basketball game, aiming to suggest potential impropriety or perjury. However, this effort reportedly backfired on Schmitt. The incident involved an Atlanta Hawks versus Golden State Warriors game in Atlanta, but the article does not provide further details on the consequences of Schmitt's pursuit.

Written by AI on 2026-10-01, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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On Tuesday, former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Senator Chuck Grassley to defend his two criminal investigations into President Donald Trump. Republicans accuse Smith of abusing authority and politically targeting Republicans, while Democrats support him for standing up against Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents. The hearing, titled "Oversight of Jack Smith’s Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans," also involves scrutiny over subpoenas issued by Smith's office, which were aimed at disrupting certification of Joe Biden's victory in 2020, ultimately leading to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Smith has insisted his decisions were made without political bias and said he would not be silenced despite threats from Trump's Justice Department.

Written for “Jack Smith Testifies Before Senate” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 34 other(s) covering the same event.

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📰 Jack Smith Testifies Before Senate

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This article reads leans left and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

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New York Post

Hedges 1 of 9 claims Outlet record 66/100

Fallout grows after Sen. Schmitt's Hawks-Hawkeyes blunder at Jack Smith hearing Same event

CBS News

Hedges 0 of 2 claims Outlet record 66/100

Republican fumbles Jack Smith conspiracy theory and calls Trump prosecutor ‘dirtbag’ in testy hearing Same event

The Independent

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 7 of 39 claims Outlet record 59/100

Amy Klobuchar Exposes Eric Schmitt’s Jack Smith Blunder Same event

The Bulwark

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 0 of 10 claims

‘You make me want to throw up’: Republicans attack ex-special counsel Jack Smith at Senate hearing Same event

The Guardian

⚖️ Leans strongly right further right than this Hedges 3 of 24 claims Outlet record 66/100

GOP senator airballs perjury claim against Jack Smith over apparent Hawks/Hawkeyes mix-up Same event

NBC News

⚖️ Leans right further right than this Hedges 1 of 40 claims Outlet record 60/100

Hawks? Hawkeyes? Schmitt in probing Smith mistakes basketball mascots Same event

Toronto Star

Hedges 0 of 3 claims Outlet record 64/100

Eric Schmitt defends perjury trap airball at Jack Smith hearing: ‘Not a mistake’ Same event

Washington Examiner

⚖️ Leans right further right than this Hedges 2 of 21 claims Outlet record 70/100

How a sloppy Republican attempt to ensnare a Trump enemy backfired spectacularly Same event

The Sydney Morning Herald

Hedges 1 of 44 claims Outlet record 61/100

Senator in botched Jack Smith gotcha moment was warned his facts were ‘unvetted’: report Same event

The Independent

⚖️ Leans left Hedges 4 of 22 claims Outlet record 59/100

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Republican's effort to accuse ex-Trump prosecutor of perjury backfires GOP Senator Eric Schmitt pursued Jack Smith over whether he attended an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors in Atlanta. asserted

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Republican's effort to accuse ex-Trump prosecutor of perjury backfires

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