FBI eyed Republican senators’ call logs for Jan. 6 probe

The FBI in 2023 analyzed the call records of eight Republican lawmakers during an investigation into the unrest on Jan. 6, 2021, according to Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino briefed him on the situation on Monday, Johnson said. Johnson characterized the probe, nicknamed Arctic Frost, as political persecution.

Under the leadership of former Special Counsel Jack Smith, the FBI subpoenaed the Congress members’ phone records from Jan. 4-7, 2021, according to Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Her records were among them. The data included the time, duration, general location, and recipients of calls, according to Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., another member of the surveilled group.

Besides Sens. Johnson, Blackburn, and Graham, who else was surveilled during the operation?

• Rep. Mark Kelly, R-Penn.

• Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.

• Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

• Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska

• Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.

• Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.

What did the FBI’s current leadership say about the probe? FBI Director Kash Patel said the records were seized for political purposes and characterized the operation as an abuse of power. Deputy Director Bongino said the FBI would continue to deliver transparency and accountability and that Americans deserved better.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s interview with veteran prosecutor Bobby Higdon on the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey.