Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) in calling for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to release all records related to the FBI’s collection of phone data from members of Congress during the Arctic Frost investigation. The senators are also urging the DOJ to seek judicial authorization to access records currently protected by federal grand jury secrecy rules.

The lawmakers stated, “Given that these materials relate to an unprecedented collection of records and information on sitting [Members of Congress] and raise serious constitutional concerns, Congress’ need for these records clearly outweighs any interest in secrecy. Further, the unprecedented nature of the DOJ’s and FBI’s actions in collecting [Members of Congress’] communication records falls squarely within Congress’ constitutional duty to thoroughly investigate potential abuses of power and creates a uniquely exceptional circumstance that demands the release of otherwise protected records.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed that under President Biden, the FBI accessed phone records from eight U.S. Senators, including Senator Tuberville, as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into events surrounding January 6th.

The letter requesting these disclosures was signed by Tuberville, Grassley, Johnson, all known targeted members as part of Arctic Frost, and all Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Signatories include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Ashley Moody (R-FL).

According to a briefing held on October 6 by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino regarding the Arctic Frost investigation—which became Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against former President Trump—the FBI had obtained call logs for at least nine Members of Congress covering January 4–7, 2021. However, much of this material is currently inaccessible due to federal grand jury secrecy requirements.

In their letter addressed to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, the lawmakers requested immediate production in unredacted form of all records relating to collection efforts tied to Arctic Frost. They also asked that DOJ seek court approval for release if necessary.

The senators wrote: “We are grateful for FBI’s initial disclosure of this information. We request that you continue to provide us and all affected parties with rolling updates on any related investigations and activities pertaining to this collection. We expect both DOJ and FBI to take the necessary steps to provide complete transparency to Congress so that the Biden administration’s targeting of sitting elected officials is thoroughly investigated and all wrongdoers are held fully accountable.”

Senator Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and serves on several committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; and Aging.