During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 29, 2026, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) presented what he described as evidence linking former special counsel Jack Smith to a conspiracy involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Schmitt alleged that Smith had attended an NBA game in Atlanta on February 3, 2024, while coordinating with Willis to prosecute former President Donald Trump and his allies. However, the claim was immediately disputed by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who corrected Schmitt’s assertion that Smith was in attendance at an Atlanta Hawks game.
Smith was not in Atlanta that day. Instead, he attended a University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball game in College Park, Maryland, featuring player Caitlin Clark. The exchange occurred as Schmitt displayed a poster board containing what he claimed were text messages from Smith’s staff, suggesting Smith’s presence in Atlanta. Klobuchar interrupted, stating, ‘Perhaps you should have looked at it more carefully.’ Schmitt responded by questioning the structure of the hearing, asking, ‘Whose questioning is this, by the way?’
The hearing was part of a broader Senate Judiciary Committee review of Smith’s investigation into Trump, which has been a focal point of Republican scrutiny. Schmitt, who has been floated as a potential 2028 vice presidential contender, did not provide additional evidence to support his conspiracy theory beyond the disputed text messages. The incident underscored the contentious nature of the hearing, with Republicans accusing Smith of misconduct and Democrats dismissing the allegations as baseless.
Key Details of the Hearing
Schmitt’s line of questioning centered on February 3, 2024, a date Willis acknowledged a relationship with Nathan Wade, the lead prosecutor in the Georgia racketeering case against Trump. Schmitt suggested that Smith’s presence in Atlanta that day implied improper coordination between federal and state prosecutors. However, Smith’s attendance at the Iowa Hawkeyes game—documented publicly—contradicted Schmitt’s claim.
The hearing also featured Republican Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who joined Schmitt in displaying a sign accusing Smith of meeting with Willis. Kennedy did not directly address the basketball game discrepancy but reiterated concerns about potential prosecutorial overreach in the Trump case.
Responses from Lawmakers
Democratic lawmakers, including Klobuchar, characterized Schmitt’s presentation as factually inaccurate and politically motivated. Klobuchar’s correction highlighted the geographical and team-specific errors in Schmitt’s evidence. No further questions were pursued by Republicans regarding the basketball game claim after the correction.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Judiciary Committee, did not intervene in the exchange but later reiterated the committee’s focus on oversight of federal law enforcement practices. Durbin did not comment on the substance of Schmitt’s allegations.
Background on Jack Smith’s Investigation
Jack Smith served as the special counsel leading the federal investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. His investigation resulted in multiple indictments, including against Trump in the District of Columbia and Florida. The Georgia case, led by Willis, remains ongoing, with Trump facing charges related to alleged election interference in that state.
Republicans have repeatedly questioned the independence and conduct of Smith’s investigation, alleging political bias in its targeting of Trump. Democrats have defended Smith’s work as legally justified, emphasizing the separation of powers between federal and state prosecutions.
Implications of the Hearing
The hearing did not result in any formal findings or disciplinary actions against Smith. However, it underscored the politicization of oversight hearings in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections and potential 2028 presidential race. Schmitt’s failed attempt to substantiate his conspiracy theory may weaken his credibility on the issue, though it did not deter other Republicans from continuing to scrutinize Smith’s actions.
The incident also highlighted the role of social media and public records in fact-checking political claims. Smith’s attendance at the Iowa Hawkeyes game was corroborated by publicly available records, including social media posts and sports venue logs, which contradicted Schmitt’s narrative.
Next Steps
The Senate Judiciary Committee has not announced further hearings specifically targeting Smith’s investigation. However, Republicans have indicated they will continue to pursue oversight requests related to the federal prosecution of Trump. Democrats have framed these efforts as attempts to undermine law enforcement and interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.