{"id":2602958,"date":"2026-05-15T05:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/momentum-builds-to-pass-bill-after-jack-smiths-secret-arctic-frost-subpoenas\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:37:07","slug":"momentum-builds-to-pass-bill-after-jack-smiths-secret-arctic-frost-subpoenas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/momentum-builds-to-pass-bill-after-jack-smiths-secret-arctic-frost-subpoenas\/","title":{"rendered":"Momentum builds to pass bill after Jack Smith\u2019s secret Arctic Frost subpoenas"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmomentum-builds-to-pass-bill-after-jack-smiths-secret-arctic-frost-subpoenas%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2602958&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>bipartisan legislation-the \u201cNDO Fairness Act\u201d (also called the nondisclosure order or NDO Fairness Act)-is advancing in Congress to curb the use of secret federal subpoenas that prevent targets from knowing thier digital records have been seized.<\/p>\n<p>The bill\u2019s momentum is growing after former special counsel Jack Smith became more publicly critical of the Trump administration\u2019s Justice Department. Republicans are pointing to Smith\u2019s \u201cArctic Frost\u201d examination as a key example of alleged overreach, where nondisclosure orders were used to obtain phone records and related data from GOP lawmakers and conservative-affiliated individuals and groups without notifying them. Lawmakers argue these actions involved insufficient judicial scrutiny and could amount to politically motivated surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Mike Lee is leading the Senate version of the bill and says it is designed to stop politically motivated spying from being hidden behind secrecy orders. House judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan similarly frames Arctic Frost as surveillance power used against political opponents. Supporters say the legislation would require prosecutors to provide written justification for issuing an NDO, including \u201cspecific and articulable facts\u201d that notification would create an adverse result, set limits on how long secrecy can last, and allow providers to challenge the orders in court. A House committee version previously advanced unanimously, and supporters argue the measure still preserves secrecy for certain serious crimes like terrorism and child exploitation, while tightening safeguards for othre cases.<\/p>\n<p>The effort faces Senate procedural hurdles, but backers cite unusual Democratic interest-such as support from Sen. Chris coons-as an indication it could pass.Democrats have also reportedly defended Smith during recent testimony, while GOP lawmakers have suggested they want to build a fuller record of alleged abuses before calling Smith again.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014<\/strong> Congress is weighing bipartisan legislation to curb secret federal subpoenas as former special counsel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jack-smith\/page\/2\/\">Jack Smith<\/a> has become increasingly outspoken in attacking the Trump administration\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a>, renewing scrutiny of the investigative tactics Smith used during his infamous <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3812667\/biden-fbi-targeted-92-conservative-groups-arctic-frost-charlie-kirk-turning-point\/\">\u201cArctic Frost\u201d<\/a> investigation.<\/p>\n<p>The push behind the bill, known as the nondisclosure order or \u201cNDO Fairness Act,\u201d has accelerated in recent weeks as Smith publicly accuses President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2018s DOJ of corruption and political weaponization. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\">Republicans<\/a> have responded by reminding the country of what occurred during the Arctic Frost investigation, where Smith quietly obtained phone records from GOP lawmakers and conservatives through nondisclosure orders that prevented targets from learning their data had been seized.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4569336\/appeals-court-weighs-trump-crackdown-law-firms-clearance-revocations\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court weighs Trump crackdown on law firms and security clearance revocations<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4569500\/kash-patel-vip-snorkel-pearl-harbor-memorial\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Patel went on \u2018VIP snorkel\u2019 at Pearl Harbor memorial, emails show<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4569295\/judge-dc-nonprofit-director-repay-1-million-misused-funds\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge orders DC nonprofit director to repay over $1 million in misused funds<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) speaks during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Capitol Hill, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-lee\/\">Mike Lee<\/a> (R-UT), who is leading the Senate version of the legislation, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> the bill is intended to stop politically motivated surveillance from being concealed behind secrecy orders.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>\u201cThe deep state should not be able to cover up politically motivated spying against law-abiding Americans \u2014 unfortunately, nondisclosure orders have been used to do exactly that,\u201d Lee said. \u201cThe NDO Fairness Act bolsters protections for your digital property under the 4th Amendment and establishes a review system to ensure that NDOs aren\u2019t abused.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>House Judiciary Committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jim-jordan\/\">Jim Jordan<\/a> (R-OH)\u00a0similarly framed Arctic Frost as an example of unchecked federal surveillance powers being used against political opponents, arguing Smith\u2019s investigators were able to gather records from members of Congress secretly with insufficient judicial scrutiny.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel appears before the House Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cJack Smith and partisan Arctic Frost investigators abused nondisclosure orders to secretly seize data from members of Congress,\u201d Jordan told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe NDO Fairness Act takes a critical step to rein in this surveillance overreach,\u201d he said. \u201cIt forces the government to justify how long the order can last and makes sure those affected are notified.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers and aides involved in the legislation say Smith\u2019s sharper public posture has refocused attention on the investigation and strengthened arguments that Congress needs to impose stricter guardrails on secret electronic surveillance authorities before another politically charged investigation emerges.<\/p>\n<p>The renewed spotlight comes after Smith delivered a private speech in Washington last month, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/05\/06\/us\/politics\/jack-smith-justice-dept-trump.html\">reported<\/a> by the <em>New York Times<\/em>, in which he accused the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a>\u2019s DOJ of being \u201ccorrupted\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ted-cruz-manages-to-trigger-leftists-by-doing-something-millions-of-americans-do-every-year\/\" title=\"Ted Cruz Manages To Trigger Leftists by Doing Something Millions of Americans Do Every Year\">targeting political opponents<\/a>. Republicans have seized on the remarks as evidence that Smith remains politically motivated even after his prosecutions against Trump collapsed following the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, left, walks past Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC) before he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about his investigations into President Donald Trump, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Arctic Frost began in 2022, initially as an FBI inquiry, as part of the Biden administration\u2019s broader investigation into Trump and his allies\u2019 efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.<\/p>\n<p>The inquiry expanded further once Smith was appointed as special counsel by former Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 to include subpoenas for phone records and electronic data tied to GOP lawmakers, congressional aides, conservative organizations, and Trump allies.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3812667\/biden-fbi-targeted-92-conservative-groups-arctic-frost-charlie-kirk-turning-point\/\">records released in September<\/a> through congressional oversight efforts led by Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chuck-grassley\/\">Chuck Grassley<\/a> (R-IA), the FBI under the Biden administration sought tolling and phone data connected to multiple GOP senators and hundreds of conservative-linked individuals or groups, even though they were not criminal targets themselves. The records obtained included metadata such as call logs and associated phone information rather than call content. The specific reasons why Biden-era investigators needed so many private records from the conservative movement are unclear, leading critics to accuse Smith of engaging in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jack-smith-sought-197-subpoenas-in-arctic-frost-probe-new-records-show\/\" title=\"Jack Smith sought 197 subpoenas in ... probe, new ... show\">partisan fishing expedition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Among the lawmakers whose records were sought were Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\/\">Lindsey Graham<\/a> (R-SC), <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-hawley\/\">Josh Hawley<\/a> (R-MO), and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ted-cruz\/\">Ted Cruz<\/a> (R-TX), along with current Trump officials such as FBI Director Kash Patel and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and several more. But it was only revealed in early November that their records had been obtained because Smith\u2019s team used NDOs to block providers such as AT&#038;T and Verizon from notifying them.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stands for a portrait at E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, March 16, 2023. (Carolyn Van Houten\/The Washington Post via AP, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Republicans have increasingly focused blame not only on Smith, but also on Judge James Boasberg, an appointee of former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/barack-obama\/\">Barack Obama<\/a>, who approved the secrecy orders tied to the subpoenas. Lee and Graham, among others, have called for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3889533\/senators-ask-dc-circuit-suspend-james-boasberg-pending-impeachment-vote\/\">Boasberg\u2019s suspension<\/a> and even his removal from the bench.<\/p>\n<p>Critics, such as the targeted lawmakers, have argued Boasberg failed to provide meaningful judicial scrutiny and instead enabled Smith\u2019s expansive investigative theories targeting lawmakers involved in post-2020 election disputes and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >constitutionally protected political activity surrounding electoral certification<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The controversy has also fueled broader concerns among conservatives about separation-of-powers troubles after federal investigators secretly gathered records tied to sitting members of Congress involved in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/january-6-pipe-bomber-still-unidentified-as-new-evidence-blows-up-fbis-narrative\/\" title=\"January 6 Pipe Bomber Still Unidentified as New Evidence Blows Up ...&#039;s Narrative\">election certification proceedings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One Senate adviser familiar with the negotiations told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>that lawmakers increasingly view the bill as the lone Arctic Frost-related reform effort with a realistic path to becoming law, in part because Democrats, too, have historically been skeptical of unchecked surveillance powers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s been growing frustration from Republicans that for all the investigations into Arctic Frost and all the exposure of Jack Smith, nothing has happened,\u201d the adviser said. \u201cThis is the one exception.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The adviser said the bill still preserves the ability for authorities to pursue secrecy in terrorism and child exploitation cases but forces prosecutors to establish an actual evidentiary basis before subjects can be kept unaware their records are being seized.<\/p>\n<p>Under the legislation, prosecutors would have to provide written justification before obtaining an NDO and demonstrate \u201cspecific and articulable facts\u201d showing that notifying the target would create an adverse result, such as destruction of evidence or flight from prosecution. The bill would also impose time limits on secrecy orders and allow providers to challenge them in court.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters say those safeguards would have made it significantly harder for Smith\u2019s team to quietly obtain records from lawmakers based on broad theories tied to their public statements, meetings, and election-related political activity.<\/p>\n<p>An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/fitzgerald.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/fitzgerald-introduces-non-disclosure-order-ndo-fairness-act\">initial variant of the bill<\/a> passed the\u00a0House Judiciary Committee\u00a0by unanimous voice vote last November, giving supporters optimism it could advance through the House under suspension procedures typically reserved for bipartisan legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The Senate remains the larger obstacle because a single senator could slow or block expedited passage. Still, supporters believe the measure has unusually strong prospects because it has attracted Democratic backing, including from Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chris-coons\/\">Chris Coons<\/a> (D-DE).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Constitution protects Americans\u2019 right to privacy in their personal communications, but we can only assert that right if we know our privacy has been violated,\u201d Coons <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lee.senate.gov\/2026\/1\/senators-lee-coons-introduce-bipartisan-ndo-fairness-act\">said<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n<p>A Trump administration official said the legislation would make it harder for future administrations to replicate Smith\u2019s tactics, regardless of the party in power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhether they were colluding or Boasberg was unaware makes no difference,\u201d the official told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThe fact that Smith could secretly seize cell phone records from congressmen and senators as part of his witch hunt is un-American.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alex DeGrasse, CEO of North Country Strategies and a longtime GOP leadership adviser, said Smith\u2019s increasing public criticism of the DOJ has only intensified Republican interest in advancing the legislation quickly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf Jack Smith can do it, the next one can do it, and that\u2019s what we\u2019re worried about,\u201d DeGrasse told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cThis is a rare opportunity where there is Democratic support to get this fixed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4537442\/biden-fbi-investigated-republicans-capitol-tours-january-6\/\">BIDEN FBI INVESTIGATED GOP LAWMAKERS WHO GAVE CONSTITUENTS TOURS BEFORE JAN. 6<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The issue is likely to gain further attention in Congress as Democrats have sought to defend Smith and his prosecutions of Trump during his recent testimony in late January.<\/p>\n<p>Grassley has indicated Smith will likely come before his committee in due course but has emphasized a need to expand the record of Smith\u2019s misdeeds before bringing him in for questioning on matters directly related to this legislative push.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Congress weighs bipartisan \u201cNDO Fairness Act\u201d to limit secret subpoenas amid scrutiny of Jack Smith\u2019s \u201cArctic Frost\u201d tactics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2602959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26022655570696.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[71360,32463,4151,4762,5894],"class_list":["post-2602958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-arctic-policy","tag-jack-smith","tag-judiciary","tag-legislation","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26022655570696.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602958"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2602962,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602958\/revisions\/2602962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2602959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}