Sen. Hagerty Files Complaint Against Verizon
On Monday, Senator Bill Hagerty from Tennessee officially lodged a set of complaints against Verizon. He alleges that the company handed over some of its cellphone data to the Department of Justice during the Biden administration.
According to a complaint reviewed by Fox News Digital, Hagerty’s legal team argues that Verizon needs to openly admit its missteps and take disciplinary action against staff who handled subpoenas for phone records. They suggest that, if Verizon doesn’t comply, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should declare a violation of federal law and install an independent monitor to oversee the company.
“Taking action would send a strong message that companies cannot collaborate with politically charged prosecutors to infringe upon customer rights,” the complaint declared. “Verizon must respect the law.”
The complaint further outlines that Verizon had provided limited phone data of Hagerty and several other Republican senators to the team led by former special counsel Jack Smith as part of an investigation concerning former President Donald Trump and the events surrounding the 2020 election.
Verizon defended itself in a letter to the Senate, asserting that the subpoena seemed “on its face valid” and simply included a phone number, without specifying which subscribers were involved or detailing Smith’s inquiry. Notably, they stated they did not inform the senators, citing a court-approved gag order that accompanied the subpoena.
Republicans have vocally criticized this subpoena as a potential breach of the Constitution’s Speech and Debate Clause, which grants Congress members extra protections in legal matters. Jack Smith has maintained that his actions were consistent with Justice Department policies at the time, though those policies have since been revised to require prosecutors to alert the court if a gag order pertains to a congressional member.
Hagerty’s complaint reflects a growing trend among senators seeking relief from subpoenas. For instance, Senator Lindsey Graham, who also faced scrutiny in Smith’s investigation, recently backed a controversial amendment in a government spending bill, allowing senators to pursue civil lawsuits against the Justice Department for substantial amounts. This provision led to significant contention, eventually prompting the House to vote unanimously to repeal it.
The timing of Hagerty’s accusations coincides with an upcoming Senate hearing titled “Accountability for Arctic Frost,” with scheduled testimony from executives of Verizon and AT&T.
