US Senators Uncover FBI Tracking of GOP Lawmakers’ Phone Records in Jack Smith’s Arctic Frost Probe
Washington, 07 October 2025 – In a major revelation shaking American politics, Republican senators have disclosed that the FBI obtained phone records of eight GOP senators and one House member as part of the Arctic Frost investigation. This probe, which later fed into special counsel Jack Smith’s case against former President Donald Trump, has sparked outrage over alleged government overreach. Lawmakers are calling it a blatant abuse of power, worse than the Watergate scandal, and demanding accountability. The details emerged from declassified FBI documents, highlighting tensions between the executive branch and Congress amid ongoing debates about weaponised investigations.
The disclosure comes just months after Trump’s return to office, adding fuel to claims of political bias in federal agencies. While the FBI insists the actions were legal and limited to call metadata, critics argue it crossed lines into unconstitutional surveillance. This development could lead to fresh congressional hearings and calls for reforms in how investigations handle sensitive data.
The Arctic Frost Investigation: Origins and Scope
The Arctic Frost probe kicked off in April 2022 under the FBI, focusing on alleged efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Named after a code word for its sensitive nature, it targeted what the bureau called “election law matters.” By November 2022, it shifted to special counsel Jack Smith, who used it as the backbone for charges against Trump related to the January 6 Capitol events and election interference.
The investigation grew wide, issuing over 400 subpoenas and pulling in 92 Republican-linked people and groups, including Turning Point USA led by Charlie Kirk, the Republican National Committee, and the America First Policy Institute. Whistleblowers tipped off senators like Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson, leading to years of oversight that uncovered these details. The probe also sought records from Trump’s and Mike Pence’s old government phones without warrants, raising red flags about privacy breaches.
Arctic Frost started under former FBI agent Timothy Thibault, known for anti-Trump views, and ballooned into what some call a fishing expedition against the political right. It included broad sweeps of conservative organisations, branded as potential threats, which Grassley described as turning the FBI into political hitmen.
Details of the Phone Record Tracking
The FBI document, dated 27 September 2023 and titled “CAST Assistance,” shows agents conducted “preliminary toll analysis” on the lawmakers’ personal cell phones. This meant collecting metadata like call dates, times, durations, and locations – but not the actual content of conversations. The data covered a few days around January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Obtained through grand jury subpoenas to major phone providers, the records helped map out who the senators contacted during that tense period. An FBI special agent, with supervisor approval, handled the analysis as part of the sensitive investigative matter. Republicans argue this violated their personal property and constitutional rights, even if no wiretaps were involved.
The targeted senators include Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, Ron Johnson from Wisconsin, Josh Hawley from Missouri, Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming, Bill Hagerty from Tennessee, Dan Sullivan from Alaska, and Tommy Tuberville from Alabama. GOP Representative Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania was also hit. Many were vocal Trump supporters or involved in election challenges.
Lawmakers’ Reactions and Calls for Action
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley led the charge, posting the document online and blasting it as “Biden FBI weaponisation worse than Watergate.” He stressed that oversight took years to uncover, thanks to whistleblowers. Cynthia Lummis called it an “appalling weaponisation” and vowed not to let it stand after a briefing from FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
Marsha Blackburn labelled it an “abomination,” while Bill Hagerty accused Smith of a “witch hunt.” Tommy Tuberville was flagged in posts as one affected. Bongino, now briefing the lawmakers, has promised under his watch the FBI will end such abuses and focus on truth.
Some influencers and Trump allies are pushing for arrests, seeing it as grounds for charging Smith and others. They argue it was not just oversight but a deep state plot to crush opposition.
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