A newly uncovered document suggests that former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigative team monitored private phone calls and communications from nearly a dozen Republican senators during the probe into the January 6 Capitol riot. The file, titled “CAST Assistance” and dated September 27, 2023, is connected to the FBI’s “Arctic Frost” operation, which dealt with election-related matters. The acronym “CAST” refers to the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team, which specializes in tracking and mapping phone data.
According to reports, Smith’s team had been reviewing communications belonging to several high-profile Republican lawmakers, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Marsha Blackburn, Ron Johnson, Josh Hawley, Cynthia Lummis, Bill Hagerty, Dan Sullivan, and Tommy Tuberville, along with Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania. The analysis reportedly included records of who these lawmakers called, when the calls took place, and where they originated and ended.
The document came to light during an internal FBI review initiated after an oversight request from Senator Chuck Grassley. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino reportedly ordered an immediate follow-up investigation once the records were found. Both officials said the matter demanded urgent attention, given the sensitivity and political implications of tracking sitting U.S. lawmakers.
Bongino, speaking about the discovery, said it was “a disgrace” that federal law enforcement had been used to monitor elected officials for political reasons. He pledged that such actions would never happen again under current FBI leadership. Patel echoed his statement, saying that his administration at the bureau is committed to transparency and accountability for anyone who weaponized the FBI for partisan goals.
The FBI later confirmed that the “Arctic Frost” file was classified as a “prohibited case,” meaning it fell outside normal investigative boundaries. Officials said the review required them to take additional measures to ensure full transparency. They emphasized that the newly discovered records were part of a broader effort to uncover past misuse of investigative authority.
Jack Smith, who had led the Justice Department’s efforts to investigate efforts to overturn the 2020 election, was responsible for prosecuting former President Donald Trump in 2023. However, after Trump’s return to the presidency, Smith moved to dismiss the case, and Judge Tanya Chutkan approved that request. Reports indicate that Smith’s overall investigation cost taxpayers more than $50 million before it was shut down.
The revelation has sparked intense debate about the limits of government surveillance and the potential politicization of law enforcement. Many lawmakers have demanded further investigation into whether Smith’s team overstepped its authority by monitoring members of Congress. For now, both Patel and Bongino have promised that under their leadership, the FBI will not be used as a political weapon against the American people. Read More
