Jack Smith Tracked Phone Calls Of GOP Senators During J6 Probe: Report
In a stunning revelation that’s reigniting debate over political weaponization of federal law enforcement, former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team allegedly monitored the private communications and phone records of nearly a dozen Republican lawmakers during their investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, according to a report reviewed by Fox News.
The internal document — marked “CAST Assistance” and dated September 27, 2023 — was reportedly discovered by FBI Director Kash Patel and details how Smith’s “Arctic Frost” task force conducted a “preliminary toll analysis” on several GOP senators and representatives. The FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team (CAST) specializes in mapping phone data, including call activity and geolocation information.
The lawmakers allegedly targeted included Sens. Lindsey Graham (SC), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Ron Johnson (WI), Josh Hawley (MO), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Bill Hagerty (TN), Dan Sullivan (AK), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and Rep. Mike Kelly (PA).
According to the Fox News report, Smith’s team obtained the phone data through subpoenas to major telecom companies as part of the broader January 6 probe. The surveillance reportedly extended to call logs, contact networks, and location data tied to phone numbers belonging to the lawmakers.
An FBI official told Fox the activity was conducted under the broader “Election Law Matters” category of the “Arctic Frost” investigation — a case later labeled “sensitive” within the Bureau.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly briefed the affected lawmakers Monday afternoon on Capitol Hill. “It is a disgrace that I have to stand on Capitol Hill and reveal this — that the FBI was once weaponized to track the private communications of U.S. lawmakers for political purposes,” Bongino said. “That era is over.”
Patel, who ordered a full review after the discovery, said the findings are part of a larger accountability effort initiated by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “The American people deserve the truth, and under my leadership, they will have it,” Patel said. “We promised accountability for those who weaponized law enforcement, and we will deliver it.”
An FBI official reportedly confirmed that “Arctic Frost” is now classified as a “prohibited case” and that the agency is “going above and beyond” to provide transparency about how the data collection was handled.
The revelations come after Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped his high-profile case against President Donald Trump earlier this year — a move approved by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan following Trump’s return to the White House.
Smith’s investigation, which cost taxpayers over $50 million, has faced mounting criticism for its tactics and perceived political bias.