Jack Smith aide Thomas Windom could face charges for refusing to answer Congress questions

TLDR:

• House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan is asking DOJ to prosecute Thomas Windom, a former Jack Smith aide, for obstructing a congressional investigation
• Windom appeared twice but refused to answer key questions about surveillance of lawmakers and Jan. 6 investigations despite DOJ authorization to testify
• The case mirrors Democrats’ Jan. 6 probe that resulted in convictions of Trump aides Peter Navarro and Stephen Bannon for non-cooperation
• Jordan says Windom used “shifting justifications” and made absurd claims, including that the FBI isn’t part of the Justice Department

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is turning the tables on a former special counsel aide, asking the Justice Department to prosecute Thomas Windom for obstruction — the same charge that landed two Trump allies in prison.

Mr. Windom, who served as senior assistant special counsel under Jack Smith, appeared before Mr. Jordan’s committee twice but ducked crucial questions about surveillance of lawmakers and the Jan. 6 investigation, despite DOJ authorization to testify.

The Ohio Republican said Mr. Windom used “shifting justifications” and made an “absurd” claim that the FBI doesn’t count as part of the Justice Department. Mr. Windom even invoked his Fifth Amendment rights when asked where he currently works.

The case echoes House Democrats’ Jan. 6 probe, where the Justice Department prosecuted and convicted Trump aides Peter Navarro and Stephen Bannon for refusing to cooperate with Congress.

Mr. Windom’s lawyer, Preston Burton, accused Republicans of “political theater” and predicted they would file charges. He said his client followed grand jury secrecy rules.

Mr. Jordan told Attorney General Pam Bondi that Mr. Windom “flouted the committee’s constitutional oversight authority.”

Read more:

• House chairman seeks DOJ prosecution of Jack Smith aide for obstructing Congress