Hawks Versus Hawkeyes Gaffe
Senator Eric Schmitt Confuses Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes During Hearing
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Key Points
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Schmitt presented text messages from Smith’s security team about seating for a “Hawks” game and suggested they showed Smith was in Atlanta; he warned Smith, “I’ll give you a second to process it, so you don’t perjure yourself.”
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Smith allowed that he might have passed through Atlanta’s airport while traveling to Florida, but said he had no recollection of visiting Atlanta and was certain he had not attended a Hawks game.
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The Iowa Hawkeyes beat Maryland 93–85 in the game Smith recalled attending; Caitlin Clark scored 38 points.
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After the hearing, Schmitt defended his questioning to reporters as part of his responsibility as a lawmaker to gather answers, and later made a joking social-media post about Smith being a Caitlin Clark fan.
Senator Eric Schmitt tried to catch former special counsel Jack Smith in a lie during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing by asking about an Atlanta Hawks game. The Dispatch reported that Schmitt presented text messages from Smith's security team and warned Smith not to perjure himself. But there was a problem: Smith had actually attended an Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball game, not a Hawks game. Senator Amy Klobuchar pointed out the mix-up and criticized Schmitt for accusing Smith of lying before checking his facts.
Schmitt's Attempted Gotcha Falls Apart
During the hearing, The Dispatch reported that Schmitt showed Smith text messages about a 'Hawks' game and suggested Smith had traveled to Atlanta. Schmitt told Smith, 'I'll give you a second to process it, so you don't perjure yourself.' But Smith firmly denied ever attending the Hawks game or even visiting Atlanta. He said he might have passed through Atlanta's airport once while traveling to Florida, but he had no memory of the city visit.
Smith Recalls Iowa Women's Basketball Game Instead
Smith corrected the record by explaining he had attended an Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball game against Maryland in College Park. Head Topics noted that the Hawkeyes beat Maryland 93–85, with star player Caitlin Clark scoring 38 points. The mix-up between the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes became the focus of the exchange, overshadowing Schmitt's attempt to link Smith to Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis.
Klobuchar Calls Out Senator's Sloppy Homework
Senator Amy Klobuchar publicly criticized Schmitt for accusing Smith of lying without doing proper research first. SSB Crack reported that Klobuchar pointed out the Hawks-Hawkeyes confusion. Schmitt never apologized during the hearing. After testifying ended, Schmitt defended his questioning to reporters, saying it was his job as a lawmaker to ask tough questions. He later posted a joke on social media calling Smith a Caitlin Clark fan.
Part of Broader Attacks on Trump Investigations
The hearing took place during intense partisan scrutiny of Smith's investigations into President Donald Trump. Head Topics noted that Republican senators have repeatedly questioned Smith's conduct and motivations. The Hawks-Hawkeyes confusion became a symbol of how some Republican attacks on Smith lack solid evidence or basic accuracy. The incident highlighted the tension between lawmakers seeking accountability and those accused of political bias in their approach.
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