FBI Obtains Phone Records, Tracks Locations of Multiple GOP Senators During Jan. 6 Investigation

Newly disclosed documents reveal that the FBI, under the Biden administration, conducted surveillance on several Republican senators' phone records and locations during the investigation of the January 6 Capitol riot, particularly within the "Arctic Frost" probe led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Senators including Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, and others had their call logs analyzed, which included metadata such as call times, recipients, durations, and locations, though not the content of calls. This surveillance has sparked outrage among Republicans who accuse the Biden administration of politically motivated targeting and weaponization of law enforcement, with Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and others calling for investigations and accountability. The FBI's actions have been criticized as unconstitutional violations of privacy and First Amendment rights, prompting Attorney General Pam Bondi to pledge a review of the matter. The probe aimed to investigate efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results but was dismissed after President Trump won re-election in 2024, with a Justice Department opinion stating sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution. GOP senators and officials have demanded transparency and consequences for those responsible for the surveillance operation.