Schmitt on mix-up at Jack Smith hearing: ‘My job is to ask questions’

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Tuesday reflected on his mix-up during former special counsel Jack Smith’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying his job “is to ask questions.”

Schmitt asked Smith if he attended a February 2024 NBC game in Atlanta between the Hawks and the Golden State Warriors. It quickly became clear that there was confusion about the game, after he appeared to mistake the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Hawks.

“We had information, of course, about him being at a basketball game,” the Missouri Republican told Nexstar affiliate KTVI St. Louis later Tuesday. “The only NBA game going on that night was in Atlanta on Feb. 2 of 2024. His team had talked about that. He answered the question.”

“My job is to ask the questions, and his job is to answer the questions,” he added.

Schmitt accused Smith of previously lying to lawmakers but acknowledged that the former federal prosecutor’s reply about which game he attended “is what it is.”

“But I guess the one thing that Jack Smith and I can maybe agree on is that we’re a fan of college sports and college basketball,” the senator said with a smile.

He also claimed that Smith went to Atlanta to meet with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D), who investigated President Trump’s alleged attempt to subvert former President Biden’s 2020 election win in Georgia. Willis indicted Trump and 18 others with racketeering charges in 2023. The case was later dropped .

Schmitt seemed puzzled during the hearing when Smith said he did not recall going to Atlanta during that time period and that he did not meet Willis. The exchange continued as the senator’s staffers showed a poster board with texts sent between Smith and Willis, which they swiftly took down.

The incident led to more confusion not just from Smith but from other lawmakers present, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The former special counsel recalled attending an Iowa Hawkeyes game in Maryland to watch Caitlin Clark play.

Schmitt’s questioning ended with the lawmaker calling Smith a “villain” and “dirtbag.”

He answered TMZ’s questions about the mix-up after following the hearing, giving similar responses to what he told KTVI St. Louis, before being asked how the “mistake” happened.

“It’s not a mistake,” the senator replied. “I asked him if he was in Atlanta. The only NBA game going on –– actually, the only NCAA men’s game or NBC game with a 7:30 tip-off was in Atlanta, so I asked him if he was in Atlanta that night.”

TMZ pressed him further, referring to photos and video of Smith watching the Hawkeyes.

“For that night? Great,” the Republican replied. “Well, then he was at the Hawkeyes game. I just asked him if he was in Atlanta.”

Klobuchar slammed Schmitt for the flub and said Smith was owed an apology.

“We have confirmed that, in fact, you are right, Mr. Smith,” the Minnesota Democrat said. “The Iowa Hawkeyes played Maryland on Feb. 3, 2024. The final score was 93-85. Iowa won, and Caitlin Clark scored over 30 points, so it must have been a pretty good game.”