"Clash of Powers: GOP Chair Subpoenas Ex-Prosecutor in Trump Probe"

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan has subpoenaed Thomas Windom, a former Justice Department prosecutor who worked on special counsel Jack Smith's team investigating President Donald Trump. Windom had declined to answer several questions during a voluntary transcribed interview in June without DOJ authorization, which Jordan rejected as an illegitimate excuse. Jordan's subpoena orders Windom to testify before the committee on September 30, 2025, to provide information deemed vital to congressional oversight of the investigations into Trump, including those related to the 2020 election and classified documents held at Mar-a-Lago[1][2][3].

Jack Smith was appointed by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead DOJ investigations into Trump’s alleged retention of classified materials and actions aimed at subverting the 2020 election results. However, after Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Smith moved to dismiss these cases citing DOJ policies that bar prosecuting a sitting president[1][2]. This dismissal has become a focal point in the political struggle between congressional Republicans and the Biden administration, with the former seeking to restrict the Justice Department’s prosecutorial discretion over current and former elected officials through proposed changes to special counsel regulations[2].

Meanwhile, Trump’s aides and allies have continued to attempt to counter moves by Smith’s team, including efforts to critique or challenge DOJ investigations under Biden’s administration. One example includes a failed attempt by Trump to enforce an executive order criminalizing cooperation with international legal bodies such as the International Criminal Court, although that order was struck down[4].

While Trump’s recent activities have included broader political and policy moves, such as signing an executive order delaying tariffs on multiple countries in early July 2025, the ongoing battles over DOJ investigations and congressional oversight remain highly significant. These developments represent a continuing clash over legal accountability and political influence in the post-2024 election environment[5].

In summary, the latest news centers on congressional Republicans, led by Jim Jordan, intensifying oversight and demanding testimony from key members of Jack Smith’s former prosecutorial team in connection with investigations into Donald Trump. Smith’s withdrawal from prosecuting Trump after the 2024 election remains a critical issue fueling legislative efforts aimed at limiting future special counsel actions against politicians[1][2][3].