Conservative critics are accusing Special Counsel Jack Smith of improper coordination with two federal judges, Beryl Howell and James Boasberg, following the release of documents by Senator Chuck Grassley. These documents, detailing briefings given to Attorney General Merrick Garland on January 13, 2023, suggest Smith's team discussed their investigative strategies, including omnibus executive privilege motions, with the judges. Republicans, including Senators Grassley and Ted Cruz, have condemned these interactions as evidence of judicial bias and a politically motivated "witch hunt" against former President Donald Trump. While some legal observers suggest these meetings were routine for chief judges handling grand jury matters, others, like Mike Davis, claim the judges "illegally worked in secret" with Smith's team to target Trump.