Speaker Johnson Says Lawmakers ‘Actively’ Discussing Ways to ‘Rein In’ Jack Smith, Including Defunding

‘The Department of Justice has clearly been politicized,’ the speaker said.

(Left) Special Counsel Jack Smith delivers remarks in Washington on Aug. 1, 2023. (Right) Former President Donald Trump attends his trial in New York State Supreme Court in New York City on Dec. 7, 2023. Drew Angerer, David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on May 15 once again waded into the debate about defunding special counsel Jack Smith’s office amid Republican allegations of a political vendetta in his prosecution of former President Donald Trump, with the speaker saying lawmakers are “actively” considering ways to “rein in” the special counsel, including using the congressional power of the purse.

A day after accusing Mr. Smith of bias in his prosecution of President Trump, Mr. Johnson was asked by a reporter during his weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on May 15 to detail what that effort actually looks like.