Learn English – Formal word when someone goes on the attack

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This question arises from an interesting answer to a recent question I asked.

You know the phrase "The best defense is a good offense"? It works well in sports and war. But in my impartial hearing, where I was the complainant (~offense) and the school district was the respondent (~defense), the district decided to go on the offense, and made up wild accusations about us parents. I need a word or phrase for this approach.

Clarification: I could understand attacks that say things that are true (e.g. if I had screamed and pounded the table, it would be fair for them to say that). I wouldn't mind attacks pointing to parents taking an unreasonable stance (e.g. asking them to create a spot in a competitive sports team, only because of the child's disability).

Somehow I need to convey the idea that the attack was unfair and uncalled for.

Best Answer

The respondent in example probably went on offensive by indulging in a smear campaign.

Wikipedia:

A smear campaign is an intentional, premeditated effort to undermine an individual's or group's reputation, credibility, and character. Like negative campaigning, most often smear campaigns target government officials, politicians, political candidates, and other public figures. However, private persons or groups may also become targets of smear campaigns perpetrated in companies, institutions, the legal system, and other formal groups.

Cambridge:

smear campaign noun
​a planned attempt to harm the reputation of a person or company by telling lies about them: They accused competitors of mounting a smear campaign to drive them out of the market.

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