A growing number of Republican lawmakers are demanding transparency from the Biden administration after learning the FBI secretly seized their phone records during a politically charged investigation known as “Arctic Frost.”
Led by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a group of 18 Republicans sent a formal letter Thursday requesting the release of all FBI and DOJ communications related to the probe — including any correspondence involving Biden White House officials and former special counsel Jack Smith’s office.
The demand comes after nine GOP lawmakers were recently informed by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino that the agency had obtained their phone metadata — also known as a “toll analysis” — from January 4 to 7, 2021. The data reportedly included details on who they called or texted and was later handed over to Smith as part of his 2020 election prosecution of President Donald Trump.
According to the letter, the lawmakers are asking whether additional surveillance tools were used — including wiretaps or seizure warrants — and whether subpoenas were issued to cell carriers. They also want to know how many other Americans’ communications may have been swept up in the dragnet.
“The Biden administration’s blatant weaponization of the federal government should shock every American,” the letter states. “Congress has a constitutional duty to investigate this abuse of power, especially when sitting lawmakers are the targets.”
The letter was co-signed by all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as well as the nine lawmakers who were directly affected: Sens. Johnson, Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).
Grassley, who released a tranche of FBI documents this week tied to the Arctic Frost operation, said the findings are “arguably worse than Watergate.”
“What I’ve uncovered today is disturbing and outrageous political conduct by the Biden FBI,” Grassley said in a statement. “The FBI’s actions were an unconstitutional breach, and Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director Kash Patel need to hold accountable those involved in this serious wrongdoing.”
According to the newly released documents, at least 92 individuals or groups with GOP ties were targeted in Arctic Frost — including the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Phone data from President Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence was also reportedly obtained, according to whistleblower accounts.
Arctic Frost began in April 2022 and was later absorbed into Jack Smith’s special counsel office. It culminated in August 2024 with charges against Trump for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election.
The timing of the FBI’s surveillance has raised alarms, particularly after The Post revealed on September 30 that Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) had been watched at both his D.C. office and his Pennsylvania home before having his phone seized — without public notice.
“We recently uncovered proof that phone records of U.S. lawmakers were seized for political purposes,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement Monday. “That abuse of power ends now. Under my leadership, the FBI will deliver truth and accountability, and never again be weaponized against the American people.”
The post GOP Demands FBI Records After Phone Logs Seized in Biden DOJ’s “Arctic Frost” Surveillance Probe appeared first on Real News Now.
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