Grassley Says Smith's Team Bypassed Filter Review To Read Texts
A filter team is supposed to screen seized communications for privilege before any prosecutor reads them; Smith's team skipped that step entirely.
- Grassley's committee published the DOJ letter July 14, confirming prosecutors saw message content firsthand, not summaries.
- Filter teams exist precisely to shield Speech-or-Debate-protected communications from the prosecutors building a case.
- Sen. Rand Paul says the disclosure contradicts Smith's Dec. 17 deposition testimony on warrants.
Why it matters: A screening process the prosecutor can simply skip protects no one, it only performs protection.
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary press release (Grassley/Johnson) ↗ · Jul 14, 20267/14/26 · Updated Jul 14 · ✓ Checked✓ Check