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GOP senator airballs perjury claim against Jack Smith over apparent Hawks/Hawkeyes mix-up
NBC News • • general
Key Points:
- Sen. Eric Schmitt accused former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing by claiming Smith attended an Atlanta Hawks game on Feb. 3, 2024, which Smith denied, leading to confusion.
- The accusation backfired when it was revealed that Smith had not been at an NBA game but rather at a University of Maryland vs. Iowa Hawkeyes basketball game on that date, confirmed by Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
- Klobuchar criticized Schmitt for mixing up the Hawks and Hawkeyes and for making unfounded accusations, calling for an apology, which Schmitt refused to give.
- Despite the mistake, some right-wing commentators praised Schmitt for his questioning, though evidence showed his claim was based on incorrect information.
- Schmitt maintained his role was to ask questions and left it to prosecutors to determine if perjury occurred, while Smith expressed confusion over the allegations.
