Jack Smith tracked calls of GOP senators during Jan. 6 investigation: FBI
The article reports that former special counsel Jack Smith, during his examination into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, tracked the private phone communications of nearly a dozen Republican senators. According to Sen. Chuck Grassley and a briefing by Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, this surveillance occurred in 2023 under an FBI operation codenamed “Arctic Frost.” it involved collecting phone records and analyzing call data (“toll analysis”) from senators including Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Marsha Blackburn, and Ron Johnson. An internal FBI document detailed the tracking of call origins, destinations, and timing related to these lawmakers’ communications around the 2020 election certification. The FBI leadership claims the records were found during a broader review prompted by congressional oversight and that those targeted were notified promptly. Grassley condemned the FBIS actions as unconstitutional political misconduct and called for accountability. The investigation also included surveillance of 92 conservative organizations. Smith’s jan. 6 case against Donald Trump was dismissed after Trump’s reelection, and the special counsel’s investigation has reportedly cost over $50 million in taxpayer funds. The story is ongoing and subject to updates.
Jack Smith tracked calls of GOP senators during Jan. 6 investigation, FBI reveals
Former special counsel Jack Smith tracked the private phone communications of nearly a dozen Republican senators during his investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) revealed Monday.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino briefed lawmakers Monday afternoon on Capitol Hill, saying Smith’s team tracked phone records and calls from major carriers in 2023 under the investigation codenamed “Arctic Frost.” The effort included “toll analysis” on calls made by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and others.
“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI,” Grassley said Monday afternoon. “The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Bondi and Director Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.”
An internal FBI document dated Sept. 27, 2023, showed Smith’s team tracked the origin, destination, and timing of calls involving the lawmakers. Officials said the surveillance related to lawmakers’ communications around the certification of the 2020 election.
Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel said the records were discovered during a broader review in response to a congressional oversight request and that they moved quickly to notify those targeted.
FBI’S INVESTIGATION TARGETED TURNING POINT USA, GRASSLEY SAYS
Smith’s Jan. 6 case against then-candidate Donald Trump was dismissed after Trump’s reelection last year. The special counsel’s investigations cost taxpayers more than $50 million, according to public statements of expenditures from the DOJ.
The revelation comes just weeks after Patel revealed to Grassley that the Arctic Frost operation involved the targeting of 92 conservative organizations.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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