In 2023, the FBI examined the phone records of nine Republican Congress members as part of an investigation into former President Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. This information surfaced in a recently released document by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The document, dated September 27, 2023, mentions Senators Lindsey Graham (SC), Bill Hagerty (Tennessee), Josh Hawley (MO), Dan Sullivan (Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (Alabama), Ron Johnson (WI), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), and Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania).
According to a News Release from the committee, the FBI collected these lawmakers’ telephone records from January 4 to January 7, 2021—just before, during, and after the Capitol riots. Hundreds of GOP lawmakers had previously voted against certifying the election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
This phone record analysis was part of the FBI’s “Arctic Frost” investigation, which was initiated in April 2022 by Timothy Tibeau, a former assistant special agent leading the FBI’s Washington Field Office. This inquiry came before Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts regarding the election.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who chairs the committee, obtained these documents through an oversight request. Upon their release, Grassley criticized the actions as “intrusive and outrageous political acts,” urging Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to take appropriate action against officials involved.
In a post on the social platform X, Patel emphasized that under his direction, the FBI would not be misused against American citizens again. The Department of Justice was also contacted for comments on the issue.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) deemed the FBI’s conduct “an outrageous abuse of government power” and expressed support for the Senate committee in their investigation.
At a press conference with Grassley, Blackburn, Johnson, and Ramis, Hagerty described the FBI’s activities as “partisan,” advocating for reforms within the agency. He added, “The FBI and the corruption that is being carried out there must be cleaned up.”
In a video posted on X, Graham expressed his concern about the situation, calling it “anxious.” He remarked about the potential legal outcomes, although he seemed uncertain about what exactly would unfold next.
