Senator Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses on March 24 during a subcommittee hearing titled “Arctic Frost: A Modern Watergate.” The hearing was the second in a series focused on reviewing the 2020 presidential election, with Republicans declining to allow Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to testify.
The proceedings are significant as the Senate Judiciary Committee holds legislative and oversight authority that affects constitutional protections and public safety nationwide, according to the official website. The committee also plays a key role in upholding the Constitution by reviewing legislation, overseeing federal law enforcement agencies, and evaluating judicial nominations.
During his questioning, Durbin addressed Margot Cleveland of New Civil Liberties Alliance regarding her previous criticism of Jack Smith. He asked, “You have accused him [Jack Smith] of being a hyper-aggressive prosecutor, partisan… running some sort of partisan protection racket, unconstitutionally appointed, a litany of constitutional misconduct, guilty of a fishing expedition, [and the list goes] on and on. Would there be value for you to be able to ask Mr. Smith questions about your assertions?” Cleveland declined to answer directly and said she lacked enough background information.
Durbin then stated: “The point I’m getting to is [that] for the last six months, Democrats on this Committee have said to Republicans on this Committee: bring Jack Smith into this room, sit him down in front of the microphone, put him under oath, and ask whatever questions you have. All these assertions... would have to be confronted by him directly... They’d rather have the hearings than have the answers.”
He also questioned Christopher O’Leary from The Soufan Group about FBI leadership under Director Kash Patel. O’Leary responded: “What the FBI deserves... is an unbiased leader... Unfortunately I do not see that in the current [FBI] Director [Patel]. He does not have any background or experience and lacks the character and disposition...” Durbin replied: “I agree with your conclusion... much has to be done to rehabilitate and resurrect this great agency.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee operates from Washington D.C., influences civil rights through its oversight responsibilities across federal law enforcement agencies as well as judicial matters nationwide according to its official website. It is led by a chairperson who oversees meetings attended by senators from both major parties.
In February prior to this hearing series—according to committee materials—Durbin led Democratic members in calling again for Jack Smith’s public testimony under oath before their committee.
